Publicans hit out at scanners

Licensed venue operators fear they’ll be forced to wind back hours

TOOWOOMBA’S pubs and clubs could be forced to wind back trading hours in order to absorb operational costs under new Liquor Licensing laws.

Venues within the CBD Safe Night Precinct licensed to trade past midnight are required to install new ID scanners at every entry point from July 1.

The new laws require the scanners be operated by a licensed security guard past 10pm for every patron entering the venue from that time.

Designed to increase the safety of patrons and allow laws such as banning orders to be enforced at entry points, the move has been met with concern by licensed venue operators in the CBD.

Toowoomba Sports Club general manager Karen Evans said the scanners were a double-up on existing security systems at the Ruthven St venue and could potentially put her patrons at risk.

The Sports Club is already required to have ID scanners at the venue as part of the community club licence, but must install a second device in order to comply with the legislation.

“We’re using the same ID for two processes which will be difficult,” she said.

“It will be a long, drawn out process for people who already have their ID as members.

“The other issue we have is that for every entry point, you have to have an ID scanner.

“We have built, some years ago, a carpark for $2 million so that when people leave the premises they don’t have to walk on to the street.

“With the new legislation at 10pm, we have to lock the door to the carpark and people will have to walk out to the street.”

Ms Evans believed it would push patrons from the CBD venues into suburban pubs and clubs which are

not required to comply with the Liquor Licensing laws.

“It’s an uneven playing field,” she said.

Safe Night Precinct president Brad Fitzgibbons said venues were likely to wind back trading hours in the CBD in order to absorb increased costs, limiting choice to patrons.

ID scanners were expected to be delivered next week, just days before they are to be used from July 1.

He slammed State Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath’s claim operators wanted their own staff to operate the scanners in order to have “a young attractive female” on their doors as insulting.

“That was ridiculous - it’s more to have a licensed person there and the cost associated with it,” he said.

He said if a security guard at the ID scanner was to take a toilet break, no patrons would be legally able to enter any venue past 10pm for the time they were away.

“The legislation hasn’t been thought through properly, particularly the practical aspects.

“I honestly think it’s an underhanded way of the government trying to go about having venues wind back trading hours.”