As some readers will be aware, the New South Wales government recently unveiled a list of the state’s most violent venues. The list was assembled according to the number of violent incidents that occurred inside each space over the past 12 months.
As ABC News notes, before releasing the data, Deputy Premier Troy Grant revelled in the massive drop in violent crime at venues over the past 12 months. Mr Grant cited a 39 percent drop in “serious incidents”, which he attributed to Sydney’s controversial lockout laws.
As Tone Deaf reported, the lockout laws were introduced in May last year, imposing restrictions on pubs and clubs in select areas of the Sydney CBD, like Kings Cross. The restrictions included 1.30 am lockouts in licensed venues and 3am ‘last drinks’.
This year’s ‘Most Violent Venues’ list includes six fewer establishments than last year’s, featuring just 13 entires. Outlets like World Bar in King’s Cross and Cheeky Monkey’s in Byron Bay dropped off the list completely.
Sydney’s infamous Ivy took out the top spot for the third year running, with 23 incidents recorded at the venue, down from last year’s 24. However, it’s important to note that the Ivy is the largest venue on the list.
Furthermore, the majority of the venues that appear on the list are in rural areas and do not fall within Sydney’s CBD lockout laws, which could potentially be interpreted as the positive impact that the laws have had on violent crime in those areas.
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However, what’s perhaps most interesting about the government’s list is the lack of strict music venues that appear. While spaces like the Beachcomber Resort and Conference Centre and the Plantation Hotel do host live music, they are not strictly live music establishments.
Sydney live music venues such as the Oxford Art Factory, Newtown Social Club, The Hi-Fi, The Standard Bowl, and venues directly affected by the detrimental impact of the lockout laws on local business, like Goodgod Small Club, are noticeably absent from the list.
Taking this evidence into account, it begs the question of why venues that don’t exist strictly for the purpose of serving alcohol and which provide an important service to the community, both culturally and economically, are treated the same as all other venues?
New South Wales’ Most Violent Venues
The Ivy, Sydney – 23 incidents
Beachcomber Resort and Conference Centre, Toukley – 12 incidents
Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour – 16 incidents
Terrigal Hotel, Terrigal – 16 incidents
Central Coast Hotel, Gosford – 14 incidents
Oaks Hotel, Neutral bay – 15 incidents
Home Nightclub, Sydney – 13 incidents
Hotel Chambers, Sydney – 12 incidents
Hotel Henry Rous, Ballina – 13 incidents
Miranda Hotel, Miranda – 12 incidents
PJ’s Irish Pub, Parramatta – 12 incidents
The Macarthur Tavern, Campbelltown – 12 incidents
Theatre Royal Broken Hill, Broken Hill – 12 incidents
