New Guidelines Set to Boost Melbourne’s Night-Time Economy

The Andrews Labor government has lifted its freeze on late-night liquor licences in the inner-city municipalities of Melbourne, Port Phillip, Yarra and Stonnington to support Melbourne’s night-time economy.

Anthony Carbines, the acting Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, made the announcement on July 4, saying that it is in line with the government’s election promise to grow the hospitality and live music industry.

“We’re revitalising our world-famous night-time economy and addressing alcohol-related harm and anti-social behaviour,” said Carbines, who also believes that this lift will help ensure Melbourne can remain one of the world’s live music capitals.

Minister for Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos echoed the sentiments stressing that these reforms are in place to support the late-night economy and live music industry that the city is famous for.

“These reforms are about supporting Melbourne’s late-night economy and live music industry and supporting cultural activities that this city is so well known for.”

In the meantime, new strenuous guidelines have been introduced to deal with potential alcohol-related harm and solve amenity issues for the communities involved.

One of the ways to deal with risk issues is that applications will be assessed for risk factors, and if measures are in place to deal with anti-social behaviours and tools are set up to minimise alcohol harm, then venues will no longer require the same exemptions to be granted to obtain licences to operate after 1 a.m.

However, for new licences, The Vic Liquor Commission may request conditions that deal with alcohol-related harm or anti-social behaviour.

In addition, the new licensee needs to demonstrate via its venue management plan if measures are in place to handle noise limits, the number of security staff hired, and if responsible alcohol service is implemented, etc.

The Commission will also examine late-night licence applications if they have plans to prevent violence, including sexual harassment.

A whole range of organisations and agencies have participated in the consultation process to finally come up with the new guidelines, which are based on the 1998 Liquor Reform Act.

These organisations and agencies include Victoria Police, local governments, hospitality, tourism, creative industries, harm reduction stakeholders and public submissions.

A review of the new settings will be completed in 2024, while a second, more comprehensive review to be completed two years after the guidelines begin.

In 2018, Melbourne was named the world’s live music capital after a 2017 census found that the Australian city had more live music venues per capita than any other city in the world. According to the census, those venues drew an audience of 112,000 each Saturday night.

Melbourne was also ranked third as the world’s most liveable city on the 2023 EIU Global Liveability Index.