Liquor Licensing Act Amendment Act Update - MAR10

Posted: March 1, 2010

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CHANGES IN LIQUOR LICENSING; OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRODUCERS

You may remember back in October 2009 we alerted you to a new bill being introduced into parliament to amend the Liquor Licensing Act 1997. The bill contained some exciting amendments for holders of a Producer’s Licence.

This bill has now been passed by the parliament and will come into operation on 3 May 2010

If you hold a Producer’s licence or are thinking about your licensing options, these changes could help to save your business time and money. Now is the time to act.

Key Changes

Wines on offer for Tasting

Liquor other than the licensee’s own product can be provided as a sample in comparative tastings as well as in designated dining areas. However, you will not be able to sell these wines as retail sales, as they are simply available for comparative tastings only.

Two Licensed Premises

Holders of a Producer’s Licence may have up to two licensed premises, one at the licensee’s production premises and another retail outlet, without having to acquire a separate licence.

Collective Cellar Door

Holders of a Producer’s Licence may enter into an agreement with other producers to participate as a collective outlet. This presents a viable option for groups of producers who cannot afford to go it alone, and will give them access to increased promotion and sales opportunities.

No Limited Licence

Holders of a Producer’s Licence may sell or supply, by way of sample, their products at regional festivals and events such as farmers’ markets. Details of these events or markets can be endorsed on the Producer’s licence, removing the need to apply for a limited licence each time they wish to participate in one of these events.

Own product exemption in hardship

In special circumstances holders of a Producer’s Licence can apply for approval to sell wine that is not their own product and therefore does not comply with the current requirements. This could provide relief for producers in instances of crop loss or other critical issues in the winemaking process.

Review of some Special
Circumstances Licences

Some producers operate their cellar door with a Special Circumstances Licence. These licences will be reviewed and may be converted to Producer’s licences if suitable under the new amendments. Alternatively the Producers will need to gain approval from the Licensing Authority to remain as a Special Circumstances Licence. I strongly encourage you to contact us to discuss this further.

These amendments are very exciting for Producers and provide a great opportunity to benefit your business and reduce red tape. If you would like to find out more about the changes, or any other Liquor Licensing or wine law issues, please contact Lisa Dowdy.

CHANGES IN

LIQUOR LICENSING;

OPPORTUNITIES FOR

PRODUCERS

You may remember back in October

2009 we alerted you to a new bill being

introduced into parliament to amend

the Liquor Licensing Act 1997. The bill

contained some exciting amendments for

holders of a Producer's Licence.

This bill has now been passed by the

parliament and will come into operation on

3 May 2010

If you hold a Producer's licence or are

thinking about your licensing options, these

changes could help to save your business

time and money. Now is the time to act.

Key Changes

Wines on offer for Tasting

Liquor other than the licensee's own

product can be provided as a sample

in comparative tastings as well as in

designated dining areas. However, you

will not be able to sell these wines as

retail sales, as they are simply available for

comparative tastings only.

Two Licensed Premises

Holders of a Producer's Licence may have

up to two licensed premises, one at the

licensee's production premises and another

retail outlet, without having to acquire a

separate licence.

Collective Cellar Door

Holders of a Producer's Licence may enter

into an agreement with other producers

to participate as a collective outlet. This

presents a viable option for groups of

producers who cannot afford to go it alone,

and will give them access to increased

promotion and sales opportunities.

No Limited Licence

Holders of a Producer's Licence may sell

or supply, by way of sample, their products

at regional festivals and events such as

farmers' markets. Details of these events

or markets can be endorsed on the

Producer's licence, removing the need to

apply for a limited licence each time they

wish to participate in one of these events.

Own product exemption in hardship

In special circumstances holders of a

Producer's Licence can apply for approval

to sell wine that is not their own product

and therefore does not comply with

the current requirements. This could

provide relief for producers in instances

of crop loss or other critical issues in the

winemaking process.

Review of some Special

Circumstances Licences

Some producers operate their cellar door

with a Special Circumstances Licence.

These licences will be reviewed and may

be converted to Producer's licences if

suitable under the new amendments.

Alternatively the Producers will need to

gain approval from the Licensing Authority

to remain as a Special Circumstances

Licence. I strongly encourage you to

contact us to discuss this further.

These amendments are very exciting for

Producers and provide a great opportunity

to benefit your business and reduce red

tape. If you would like to find out more

about the changes, or any other Liquor

Licensing or wine law issues, please

contact Jarrod Ryan.

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