Blanket Lockout Slammed

Newcastle Herald

Thursday July 3, 2008

JACQUI JONES CIVIC

THE hotels industry has labelled the idea of a 1am lockout and 3am closing time for all Newcastle licensed premises as "narrow-minded and counterproductive", while police and the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing are not yet ruling it out.

Newcastle City Council adopted unanimously on Tuesday a proposal from Greens councillors Michael Osborne and Keith Parsons to lobby for an extension of the curfew that presently applies to 15 hotels in the central business district.

Australian Hotels Association NSW operations director Andrew Fletcher said yesterday the council's resolution disappointed the industry.

"Certainly it will generate a bit of publicity for the Greens and it will probably please a small but vocal band of wowsers," he said.

"It's narrow-minded and counterproductive."

Mr Fletcher said blanket restrictions across the local government area would put pressure on public transport and encourage people to congregate in public areas where there was no supervision or security.

An Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing spokesman said yesterday that liquor and gaming director Albert Gardner was happy to meet with the council to discuss the proposal.

Acting Superintendent Jim McArthur said Newcastle police were prepared to consider the council's resolution.

"We'd certainly be willing to look at it as an option," he said.

But police would also consult other stakeholders including licensees and residents before supporting any further action, he said.

Cr Osborne said yesterday the council had "to stand up for all of the community not just rich hoteliers . . . [and] the minority of people that go out and cause disturbances".

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© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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