The Face of Sydney Changes Due To Lockout Laws
- Rhianna Dews
- May 20, 2017
- 4 min read
Have the Sydney Lockout Laws taken the violence out of the people, or the people out of the city?
Anticipation and excitement buzzed through the air on a typical Saturday in Kings Cross. People from near and far, journeyed into the city for a cheeky night out laced with adventure, spontaneity, electric vibes and killer music. The streets of this colourful city illuminated by the neon lights of the infamous Coca-Cola sign. Although a little jagged around the edges, Kings Cross as we knew it, would soon become a ghost of the past.
In response to two separate cowards-punch fatalities occurring in Kings Cross over recent years, the NSW Government enforced 1:30 am lockout laws to new patrons and 3:00 am last drinks at all licensed venues located within the Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct. The lockout laws were intended to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence throughout the designated lockout zone, which includes Kings Cross, Darlinghurst, Cockle Bay, The Rocks and the Haymarket.
Closure of Clubs:
Ultimately, the lockout laws led to job cuts resulting from the lack of business and subsequent closure of many iconic Sydney clubs, such as Potts Point Hotel’s much-loved Kit & Kaboodle nightclub.
“We've got two levels that we can't open as a nightclub; there’s just not enough people,” claims Joel, Marketing Manager, and Functions & Events Manager at Potts Point Hotel.
Since the enforcement of the lockout laws in 2014, Charlie Saleh, who has worked in Kings Cross for over 26 years, closed his nightclub the Sapphire Lounge, a once popular destination for sports celebrities attracted by his son, former NRL football player, Hassan Saleh. “It had caused a lot of strife and a lot of heartbreak,” says Charlie.
Since 2014, World Bar has faced reductions of 30% in turnover, 20% in staff, and 20% in its entertainment budget. “Because of the lockouts, we basically have to stop our door charge about two hours earlier,” claims Greg, World Bar’s General Manager.
Rebranding Businesses:
With the rapidly changing environment and no forewarning, Sydney clubs are left with no choice but to rebrand and restructure to survive. Potts Point Hotel underwent major renovations as part of their rebranding strategy of becoming an “uptown Potts Point bar” explains Joel.
Similarly, Sapphire Lounge is making a cocktail-bar-comeback as Sapphire 2.0, and World Bar has introduced a theatre space to “attract people earlier in the evening by diversifying their offering” tells Greg.
The lockout laws have changed the overall business model of Kings Cross, for better or for worse.
Solutions before the lockout laws:
The question is, were the lockout laws a practical solution to reducing violence in Sydney, or, would alternative methods have been more effective?
According to a Detective Senior Constable attached to State Crime Command, the lockout laws “have resulted in a flood of intoxicated persons being turned out onto the streets in the early hours of the morning.”
Before the lockout laws, the Cross was already working towards putting a stop to the violence.
As a founding member of the Kings Cross accord established by Bob Carr in 1991, Charlie Saleh has always strived to make the Cross a safer place. “I used to always say in meetings with the police, ‘if I can't make my club safe for my kids, I can't make it safe for anybody else,” says Charlie.
The accord deterred bikie gang members from Kings Cross by implementing ID scanners in clubs which notify police when wanted criminals enter a venue. “I got shot myself because of the bikies because I wouldn't tolerate it, and I wouldn't let them in,” Charlie recalls.
According to Greg, “more proactive high-visibility policing” and 24-hour train services, combined with a change in the culture of violence in Australia, could have decreased the violence. Similarly, Joel likens a Saturday night in the Cross to “special events like concerts,” requiring “adequate policing” due to high volumes of people.
Statistics, Media & Violence in the Suburbs:
“How many car accidents do we see in the Sahara Desert? None. Now is that because the road rules in the Sahara Desert work or is it because no one drives through there?” asks Joel.
Due to the increasing demand for alternate venues unrestricted by the lockout laws, there has been a rise in violence throughout surrounding suburbs, like Coogee and Newtown, as well as at the Star Casino.
The Star Casino’s assault rate has doubled over the past two years since the lockout laws were enforced. “If anything happens in the Cross, it'll be front page news. Anything happens at the Star; you don't hear about it," says Charlie.
Greg says, “Jump on the ASX share price and look at the share index of the star casino from around 2012-2013. It’s steadily falling, then February 2014 when the lockouts came in, it shoots back up again.”
Moving-on:
“Don't get me wrong, something definitely needed to be done. The cross wasn't the place it should've been. People were definitely getting injured. But I don't think what they've done has helped,” says Joel
The vibrant city that once reined the night is now a distant memory. Business owners are beginning to accept that for now; the lockout laws are here to stay.
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