A liquor licence freeze has been in place in the Kings Cross, Oxford St/Darlinghurst, and CBD South precincts of the City of Sydney local government area since 25 June 2009. The freeze was extended in June 2012 to allow time for research into the cumulative impact of licensed premises in NSW to be completed.
In November 2012, the Government’s Liquor Amendment (Kings Cross Plan of Management) Act 2012 was passed. This Act includes a range of measures that will address alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour in the Kings Cross precinct, including a geographical extension of the Kings Cross precinct to include additional licensed premises, and an extension of the Kings Cross precinct freeze for three years until 24 December 2015.
On 17 December 2012, the NSW Government decided to extend the liquor licence freeze in the Oxford St/Darlinghurst precinct for twelve months to 24 December 2013. Given the recent development of an Environment and Venue Assessment Tool (EVAT), along with other significant regulatory initiatives such as the ‘Three Strikes’ and ‘declared premises’ schemes and ongoing compliance audits, the CBD South precinct freeze will be allowed to expire on 24 December 2012.