Extended trading permits: Sunday trading on long weekends

Licensees wishing to trade later than normal on Sundays preceding a Monday public holiday in 2012 will need to lodge extended trading permit applications with the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor on or before 31 October 2011.

Long weekend extended trading permit applications in respect of nightclubs, hotels, taverns, small bars and some special facility licences must be accompanied by public interest assessments.  These public interest assessments must identify the strategies that will be in place during the extended hours of operation to minimise the potential for harm to be caused as a result of the increase in trading hours. 

Public interest assessments are complex and time consuming to prepare.  Such public interest assessments should also cover a multitude of other issues, including but not limited to:

• whether or not persons living or working in the vicinity of the premises are likely to be disturbed;
  
  
• the public interest to be served by the extension of hours;
  
  
• the type of entertainment the licensee will provide; and
  
  
• whether or not food will be available.

Any permit granted will be subject to strict conditions during the additional hours of trade, such as:

• prohibiting serving liquor with energy drinks;
  
  
• imposing a lock out 30 minutes prior to closing;
  
  
• requiring licensed crowd controllers to be employed for the duration of the extended hours; and
  
  
• banning packaged liquor sales.

Should you are require any assistance in preparing your application for extended trading on long weekends next year, or extended trading permits generally, please do not hesitate to contact:

Dan Mossenson                                  Ian Curlewis
Partner                                              Partner
(08) 9288 6769                                   (08) 9288 6756
dan.mossenson@lavanlegal.com.au      ian.curlewis@lavanlegal.com.au

Jessica Patterson                                Alec Weston
Senior Associate                                 Solicitor
(08) 9288 6946                                   (08) 9288 6873
jessica.patterson@lavanlegal.com.au   alec.weston@lavanlegal.com.au