Change I can’t believe in
For years, like many in the community, I too have supported the Lord Mayor and our local councillor Clover Moore.
We can’t deny that she has done huge things for our community, helping us to be accepted and be treated as equals.
But after the newest plans she has for the city, I’m finding it difficult to support her. Rumours are flying that she is planning to have all licensed clubs and pubs closed by midnight. This is crazy.
There has to be something done about the alcohol fuelled violence but this is definitely not the answer. Surely we learnt by the 3am lockouts that this just pushed those troublemakers onto the streets, causing more problems than solutions.
Now, I do understand that there are those out there tucked up at home that are in full support of venues closing this early. Australia, like the world, really doesn’t have regular working hours anymore. Once upon a time the majority worked 9-to-5, but now it’s really quite unusual to have these hours. On a Saturday night, my start time is midnight and I work through to the wee hours of the morning. Others start at 10pm and finish at 6am.
It’s so confusing to me that this could even be considered. Sydney is a global city, how are we able to compete with the likes of New York and London if we are closed down by midnight?
This has hit me personally. Most of my shows start after midnight – with restricted hours, the venues wouldn’t be able to afford entertainment. I have been a performer full-time for the last 10 years; to even think that I may need to have a total career change does make me a little nervous. But this doesn’t just affect me, I live with two barmen and a DJ, so they also would be thinking of new jobs. The loss of employment would be huge. Is this what we want for our city? We need to let the Lord Mayor know how crazy this is by emailing her.
It has not worked in Brisbane the drunk just go elsewhere to start trouble. This will not work, that is right John.
Closing the pubs and clubs where the violence happens just moves those people into the other venues! Those bogans don’t leave, they just move to the next place!
I agree with Scott “If alcohol-fuelled violence is such a problem, then close those venues where it is a problem. Leave the rest of us alone!” – That’s what Ill be emailing Clover.
To be honest I thought her plan was to close venues at 2am (even though this is a ridiculous time to shut a club, 12am is just stupid).
Its such a dumb concept for a city like Sydney – doesn’t this women think?
I totally agree with you Maxi. There is no credible justification for closing ALL the bars and clubs at midnight, and it would probably sound the death knell for the remaining gay venues on Oxford Street.
I’ve also been having second thoughts about Clover for some time now, especially because of all the crazy road changes and parking restrictions we’ve had to suffer. It’s just getting too hard to visit Oxford Street for a lot of people, and this is changing the nature of strip for the worse – look at how we lost the Palace Academy Twin this year.
If alcohol-fuelled violence is such a problem, then close those venues where it is a problem. Leave the rest of us alone!
i like the idea of a midnight finish to the night. everyone can go home and get some sleep! If Los Angeles can still work with such a system, then surely Sydney can too.