Planning

Information about liquor licensing in South Australia

Table 1 provides an overview of the South Australian (SA) liquor licensing system, the different types of liquor licences and permits, and the liquor licence application process. Links to more detailed information are provided throughout. Further information on how the community can participate in liquor licensing processes and object to liquor licence applications is outlined in Map your steps.

The SA liquor licensing system

In Australia, the liquor licensing process varies by state and territory because of the differing legislation. In South Australia:

• The Liquor Licensing Act 1997 controls the sale and supply of alcohol.
• Consumer and Business Services is a division of the Attorney-General’s Department and is responsible for regulating the liquor and gaming industries.

The different types of liquor licences and permits

A liquor licence or permit states where and when alcohol can be served. Different licences and permits are available to suit different businesses or community organisations (e.g. clubs, restaurants, entertainment venues, hotels, etc.).

In addition to new liquor licences, licence variations are available for existing liquor licensees that want to change or extend the conditions of their licence. Licence holders may apply for extended trading authorisation (ETA) if they wish to trade outside of regular hours.

Details about the different types of licences.

The liquor licence application process

Application

How the community can find out about new licence applications is covered in Section 3.a.

Liquor licence applications are submitted to Consumer and Business Services (CBS).

Advertising

Once a liquor licence application has been successfully lodged, CBS requires that, for most licence applications, signage be placed at the proposed premises advertising the application. Most applications must also be advertised on the CBS website as an advertised application notice. The purpose of the advertising is to notify the local community about the application.

Note: only a notice of application is provided, not the licence application itself.

Approval process

The CBS grants a liquor licence when (for hotel and liquor merchant applications only) the licence is deemed necessary to meet the public’s needs in that area and (for all licence types) the premises are appropriate to licence, if the licence will not cause the negative impacts listed under Section 3.d such as undue disturbance to those living and working in the area, and when the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a licence.

Public objections

Under Section 77 of the Liquor Licensing Act 1997, the public has the right to object to a licence application.

More information on public objections to liquor licences.

Set your objectives

Setting objectives for your Community Action Plan activity is an important part of your LDAT planning process.

Groups can develop their own objectives, although you may find these a useful starting point.

• Engage with (xx number) new partners to mobilize community groups to participate in objections to potentially harmful liquor licence applications
• Establish (xx number) new partnerships with community groups in the next 12 months to support participation in liquor licensing activities
• Increase community awareness of alcohol-related harms by (xx percent) within the next 12 months
• Increase community awareness of the impact that alcohol availability has on alcohol-related harm on the community by (xx percent)
• Increase community awareness by (xx percent) of their ability to contribute in liquor licensing decisions
• Increase community awareness of the liquor licensing process and how the community can participate in this process by (xx percent) within the next 12 months
• Improve community participation in the liquor licensing process by (xx percent) within the next 12 months
• Support (xx number) community groups to submit objections to potentially harmful liquor licence applications within the liquor licensing time frames in the (xx name) community.

Working with community partners

LDATs have a key role in building relationships in the community and finding allies that will support action to reduce the harm caused by alcohol in the community. Key community partners include the local council and police. The local council and police may also make an objection about a new liquor licence, and may be able to assist you with gathering some of the data about your local area (e.g. alcohol-related crime, anti-social behaviour, and property damage).

Liquor accords in South Australia are voluntary associations of liquor industry and community stakeholders. Depending on the area in question, they may involve liquor licensees, police, community members or organisations, and council. They typically seek to address anti-social behaviour and other problems arising from alcohol. Liquor accords may be more or less effective depending on the partners involved, the region in question, and the objectives of the accord. The Liquor Accords Australia website offers more detail and a list of active accords in South Australia.[1]

It is important for LDATs to work with partners who represent the population groups in their communities. Consider what population groups are in your community and who may be at risk of experiencing alcohol-related harms – you can partner with individuals and organisations who represent these groups. For example, if Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are represented in your community, partner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s organisations to make sure local action is responsive to local needs and representative of the community.

Partners may include:

• local council
• police
• local health organisations
• religious organisations
• schools
• school-parent committees
• various community groups (e.g. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, women’s, migrant and/or refugee, or groups of young people)
• local businesses
• Rotary and Lions Clubs
• liquor accords.

Determine resources required

Below is an indicative list of resources required for LDATs when facilitating community participation in liquor licensing. The resources you may need will depend on a number of variables, such as the specifics of the licence application, why you’re objecting to it, and your desired outcomes. Local Drug Action Teams may be able to provide some of these resources or work with partners who can provide additional support.

• Basic administrative tools, including stationery, office supplies, phones, printing, a workspace for administrative duties.
• Skilled personnel to coordinate the objection process, including collecting local evidence and formulating a response.
• Knowledge/materials to engage community members and work in partnership with local organisations.
• Venue for meetings – this may include in-kind use of a meeting room from a partner organisation including a local library, schools, or community halls (your local council will have a list of available places for community use). It is not appropriate for meetings to be held in people’s homes.
• Funds for catering at events and meetings.

Consider measures of success

While you are planning your activity, it is important to consider measures of success for your activity. Determine how you will evaluate the success of your activity linking your success measures to your objectives (see: Measure your success).