Sydney’s controversial lockout laws will be lifted for upcoming New Year’s Eve celebrations, in a move which is hoped to make the night safer for over a million people who are expected to travel into the city.
Sydney’s 1:30am lockouts on licensed venues won’t apply this New Year’s Eve, just as they didn’t last year, but the 3am last drinks rule and some other special conditions on certain venues will remain in place.
The New South Wales Office of Liquor, Gaming & Racing (OLGR) believes that lifting the 1:30am lockout will reduce street congestion, ease the demand for public transport and help revellers avoid large crowds which might result if punters tried to get to a venue after the 12:00am fireworks and before 1:30am.
OLGR Acting Executive Director Samantha Torres says temporarily lifting the lockout recognises Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations as a major drawcard for locals and for tourists.
“Removal of the lockout on New Year’s Eve only is a one-off annual exception that is in place due to the unique circumstances,” Ms Torres says.
“New Year’s Eve is unique because the main event around which celebrations are focused occurs at and after midnight. On no other occasion do we see such high volumes of people concentrated in the CBD precinct seeking access to venues at a time that coincides with the lockout.”
Like last year, the midnight curfew on licensed vessels dropping off passengers in the CBD will only apply from 3am until 7am on New Year’s Day.
Sydney’s lockout laws were introduced in January 2014, following the death of 18-year-old Daniel Christie, who was fatally punched on New Year’s Eve in 2013. With NYE lockout exemptions in place again this year, it’s hoped that Sydney will have a safe night as it brings in 2016.
Relive some of last year’s NYE fireworks display, below.
Header Image: City Of Sydney / Facebook
