Businesses that serve alcohol, including bars and restaurants, must get a licence from the NSW Department of Liquor and Gaming.

The Department and NSW Police inspect these businesses to make sure they’re meeting state rules.

For more information, visit the Liquor & Gaming NSW website.

Council's role in liquor licence applications

Council does not grant liquor licences, but we provide advice and comments about licence applications. There are two main ways this happens:

1. We can provide feedback to people applying for a liquor licence before they lodge it with the NSW Department of Liquor and Gaming. See below for our contact details.
2. We receive advice from the NSW Department of Liquor and Gaming after they receive a licence application. Council then provides comments on the application, including information about whether development consent is required and, if so, whether consent is in force. The Department takes these comments into consideration when making a decision about applications.

Serving liquor on Council land

If you're organising an activity on Council land where alcohol will be served, you'll need to arrange a lease / licence agreement or booking with Council before you can apply for a liquor licence. You may also need to get permission through a development consent.

Get advice about liquor licence applications

Call us on (02) 4227 7111 or use the button below to make an enquiry about a liquor licence.

For online enquiries, please select 'Duty Planner Enquiry' in the field 'Which Duty Officer is this enquiry for?'.