On 15 October 2009 the Queensland Parliament passed the Gambling and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2009.

The amendments to the Maching Gaming Act 1991 include the introduction of a mandatory training requirement for all persons carrying out gaming duties on licensed premises.

The Office of Liquor & Gaming Regualation has not announced the date on which this new provision will come into effect, but it is likely to be in early 2010.

From that date, anyone carrying out gaming duties must complete a course in the Provision of Responsible Gambling Services within three months of commencing employment. There is a transitional provision which exempts existing gaming employees from this provision until 1 July 2011.

The draft Fortitude Valley neighbourhood plan contains provisions which will allow fusion trading to become a reality for business owners in Fortitude Valley.

Featuring in a recent article in the Australian the proposed plans will make it easier for shops, hairdressers and other businesses in the Valley Special Entertainment Precinct make an application to obtain a bar licence for all or part of the premises.

The proposal will mean the developments below will be self assessable in the Special Entertainment Precinct of Fortitude Valley:

…Centre Activities where a Hotel, Nightclub or Restaurant and where:

? not involving building work, and

? less than 100m? in gross floor area(2), and

? not located within the same building as, or within 5m from a residential use, and

? complying with the Acceptable Solutions in the Centre Amenity and Performance Code…

(2) Other uses (e.g. shop) may occupy an area greater than 100sqm, provided the licensed component (e.g. hotel) is less than 100sqm.

However, the proposal to exclude property outside of the Special Entertainment Precinct is not what was expected and b? has made a formal submission to the Brisbane City Council asking that the self assesable level of development be extended to Multi Purpose Centres (MP2) within the area covered by the Fortitude Valley Neighbourhood Plan.

Removing the cost and uncertainty of a Code Assessable planning application along with specific provisions allowing mixed use developments will take us one step closer to a vibrant bar scene in Brisbane.

Download a full copy of the Draft Fortitude Valley Neighbourhood Plan.

The first business in Queensland to sell liquor under the authority of the newly created ‘Bar Licence’ was Inspire Gallery & Bar, Vulture Street, West End.

As the name suggests, Inspire Gallery & Bar combines an art gallery with a bar and the business owners, Jacqui Hannam and Marcel Gerstel, plan to showcase the best of local art in an intimate bar setting.

The Liquor Act describes the principal activity of a Bar Licence as:

S.70(1)The principal activity of a business conducted under a bar licence is the sale of liquor on the licensed premises having the capacity to seat not more than 60 patrons at any one time.

During the processing of the application by Inspire Gallery & Bar the Office of Liquor & Gaming Regulation proposed the following conditions be placed on the licence:

The licensee and approved manager must ensure that seating is provided for not more than 60 patrons at any one time within the licensed premises.

The licensee and approved manager must ensure that no more than 80 patrons whether seated or othewise are on the licensed premises at any one time.

However, the final approval contained the following, more restrictive, condition:

The licensee and approved manager must ensure that no more than 60 patrons whether seated or othewise are on the licensed premises at any one time.

It appears this will be a standard condition on all Bar Licences.

It is unfortunate that OLGR have chosen this direction but we are working with them to achieve a more flexible application of this policy in the future. We will update this website with any further developments.

The Valley Liquor Accord will be officially launched on Monday 22 June 2009.

Most licensees will realise there are a number of important benefits to membership of a liquor accord (keeping up to date with developments from Police, Council, Liquor Licensing etc, enhanced business reputation, better perception by clientele, promotional and marketing opportunities etc etc).

Additionally, since the amendments to the Liquor Act on 1 January this year, accord groups have express statutory recognition and are a feature of the Risk-Assessed Management Plan. If a licensee is not a member, this may reflect negatively upon the premises if they are subjected to a compliance investigation.

The Minister for Tourism, Fair Trading, Liquor Licensing, Gaming & Racing, the Honourable Peter Lawlor MP will be the special guest along with all members of the VLA, representatives of the QLD State Government & the Brisbane City Council, sponsors and supporters of the VLA. We encourage all licensees in the Fortitude Valley precinct to attend the launch and show support for this important initiative.

The time and location are:

Monday 22 June 2009

2.30pm – 4pm

Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts

420 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

RSVP by Friday 19 June 2009 to admin@valleychamber.com.au