Health Promotion's 'Reduc
ing Access to Alcohol project' aims to reduce the harm related to access to alcohol.
Legislation and regulation of licensed premises is often intended to reduce harm related to alcohol, and Health Promotion has an important role in ensuring these controls are applied and implemented appropriately.
A range of processes are required before retailers and venues can obtain or change a liquor licence.
This is where Health Promotion can step in and provide evidence-based recommendations objecting to problematic liquor licence applications that are likely to generate harm (see Our Submissions & Partner Submissions below).
Our Submissions
Check out our latest submissions related to liquor licensing and other planning documents:
Partner Submissions
Health Promotion may also contribute to alcohol related submissions by a number of partner organisations. Check out submissions we have contributed to:
Partner Organisations | Submissions |
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Australian Health Promotion Association
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Australian Health Promotion Association |
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Reviewing Liquor Licences
When reviewing liquor licences applications Health Promotion considers the following:
Density
The density of liquor outlets in the surrounding area is important as higher densities are associated with increased alcohol related assaults, domestic violence, poorer health outcomes, aggressive price discounting, increased exposure to alcohol by minors, and other harms.
Proximity
Liquor outlets close to child and youth facilities (e.g. schools, youth centres, early childhood centres), mental health facilities, and vulnerable communities can lead to increased exposure and the secondary supply of alcohol.
Appropriateness
Within areas with an already high number of alcohol related assaults and hospitalisations, increasing access to alcohol, along with requests for extended trading hours is associated with further violence and anti-social behaviour.
Licence Category
It’s important to ensure the category of licence being applied for is appropriate for the proposed business and potential clientele.
Liquor Licence Processes
A range of processes are required before retailers and venues can obtain or change a liquor licence. These may include Council Development Consents, Notice of Intentions, Community Impact Statements and Application Lodgement with ILGA (Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority).
Development Consent
Development consent from Council may be required for a new liquor licence, or for any changes to a liquor licence, including licence-related authorisations.
Submissions can be made to the Council by the local community, neighbouring businesses and local authorities during exhibition.
Examples of our development consent application submissions:
Application Lodgement with L&GNSW
All liquor licence applications are lodged with the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority.
Interested parties can make submissions on applications listed on Liquor and Gaming’s online noticeboard.
More information at
Liquor and Gaming NSW Noticeboard.
Examples of our liquor licence application submissions:
Notice of Intention
For most licence types, notification of an application must be provided to the occupier of neighbouring premises, and to the local Police and Council. Submissions are made directly to the applicant.
Examples of our notice of intention submissions:
Policy & Planning Reviews
Policy and planning documents associated with alcohol regulation & control undergo reviews and updates. The review periods provide the community with an opportunity to make submissions for improvement.
Examples of our policy & planning review submissions:
Community Impact Statement
For certain licence types, a Community Impact Statement (CIS) requires the applicant to consult with the local community to gauge the level of community support for the proposal and to specifically address any issues that arise from this consultation process.
Further Information:
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) has developed a tool kit to guide the community take action in tackling the availability of alcohol.
More information: Community Action on Alcohol Availabilyt (ADF)