For the first time in the history of liquor licensing law and practice in Queensland, Government initiatives have delivered actual cost savings to new industry entrants.
These come in the form of changes to the advertising requirements for a range of application types, including new licences and variations to trading hours and licence conditions. Along with the anachronistic Government Gazette notices, the requirement to publish liquor licence application details in local newspapers has been abolished, confining the public notification of applications to property signs on the road frontages of the relevant premises. These measures will reduce outlays for applications by up to $1,800.
The other significant change is the removal of the need to provide a letter of clearance from Queensland Fire & Rescue Services to OLGR before the grant of the licence. Government officers are quick to point out that this change does not in any way remove the burden of complying with fire safety requirements. However, individual licensees will now have the flexibility to develop compliance strategies which are adequate and cost effective for their businesses, at a saving of at least $990.
Additionally, although a final inspection of new licensed premises will still be undertake by OLGR officers, licensees will no longer have to produce food licences and certificates of classification in order to secure the issue of the licence. This simple, and obvious, reduction in red tape will add considerable flexibility to the end of the process of establishing a new licensed business in Queensland.
Overall, this red tape reduction equates to a more streamlined process, which in turn means lower professional fees and quicker turnaround times. If you are thinking of making an application, or have considered one in the past but postponed it due to costs, contact us now for detailed costings for your new licence.
Combined with the recent changes to occupancy limits for small bars, the viability equation for businesses in this sector has never looked better.