Industry

Extended hours applications - moratorium

On 16 September 2009, Premier Anna Bligh announced a moratorium on all applications for extended hours between 12 am and 5 am.

The moratorium took effect immediately and was to be in place for 12 months pending the outcomes of the Law Justice and Safety Committee inquiry into alcohol-related violence. The moratorium has now been extended to 15 December 2010, and the Government has announced that it will be further extended until 2013.

The freeze applies to all existing extended hours applications currently before the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR).

For more information, refer to the applying for late trading hours fact sheet. (PDF 95 K)

What if I have a current application to extend trading hours?
Anyone that has lodged an application for approval to extend trading hours beyond 12 midnight has the choice to:

withdraw their application, in which case the application fee will be refunded, or
leave their application pending, however no processing will take place until the end of the moratorium.

What if I have an application for a new licence that includes a request for extended hours?

Applications for new licences will be progressed as normal, except for the extended hours trading component, subject to the exceptions discussed below.

Are there any exceptions?

OLGR is empowered to continue to consider applications for extended trading hours, within the moratorium period, but only in a limited number of designated areas.

What about one-off extended trading past 12 midnight?

Licensees can still apply for one-off extended trading hours beyond 12 midnight for special occasions or functions. Refer to the extended trading hour permit page.

If I currently trade after midnight, am I affected?

Existing licences with approved trading hours are not affected - approved trading hours will remain in place, unless otherwise revoked as a result of disciplinary action.

I have an extended trading hours applications in place. What do I need to do?

You don’t have to do anything unless you wish to withdraw your application and seek a refund of the application fee. You can do this simply by writing to OLGR. Otherwise your application will remain in abeyance until the moratorium is lifted.