The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has just announced date-based changes to be made to the lockout laws as well as a series of strategies to revitalise Sydney’s nightlife economy.
Following an almost unanimous vote from the upper house to repeal the lockout laws, which have caused irreparable damage to Sydney’s nighttime economy, NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced that the restrictions will be overturned on the 14th of January 2020.
The decision comes after extensive backlash from industry figureheads including Solotel CEO Justine Baker, and Mary’s group co-founder Jake Smyth who have been just a few to give testimonies at numerous inquiries regarding the impacts of the damaging lockout laws.
Michael Rodrigues, the Chair of the Night-Time Industries Association has announced there are a series of other reforms currently being drafted to revitalise the city’s nighttime economy. It is still unclear whether these reforms mean other reductions on the freedoms of liquor and gaming services. There is, however, evidence to suggest that they will, in fact, be economic strategies to boost the use and income of the plethora of businesses that have been affected by the disastrous lockout laws.
Unfortunately, the lockouts will remain in place over the Kings Cross precinct, however, Rodrigues has indicated that there is sufficient momentum to place these restrictions under further review in twelve months’ time. Rodrigues asserts that there is a promising case to redevelop the Cross as a center for theatre and arts, rather than returning it to its roots of bar and pub culture.
