By Andrew Starke

Almost 30 percent of eligible Brisbane event organisers have applied online for one-off community liquor permits under a pilot scheme by the Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR).

Minister responsible for liquor regulation, Peter Lawlor, said the Brisbane launch was the first in a staged roll-out of the online application process which would eventually be available throughout Queensland.

“Since the launch of the application system, almost 30 percent of eligible Brisbane festival, fete and sporting event organisers have taken advantage of the new online application system,” said Lawlor.

“Applicants will still be subject to the same rigorous licensing process as before, but by introducing the online system, the Queensland Government is actively reducing the paperwork for low-risk events.”

Following industry feedback, the state’s regulator, the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, is focussing on a number of improvements to streamline its licensing process.

“Licensing makes up 90 percent of OLGR’s day-to-day business, so it’s important to use processes that are both efficient and accessible,” said Lawlor.

“OLGR receives more than 6000 community liquor permit applications each year, so improvements to the process will affect many groups. Following feedback from industry, OLGR has also increased its online capability for annual fee payments, introducing increased credit card limits and Bpay.”

The community liquor permit Brisbane pilot commenced on April 30 and will extend to the rest of Queensland later this year.

For information on which postcode areas are included in the pilot, or to lodge an application, visit the OLGR website by clicking here.