Hospitality Concierge offers helping hand to Northern Rivers licensed businesses

Now in their second year, the regional deployments aim to reach owners and operators in their communities to answer questions and provide support on liquor licensing, liquor and gaming compliance and ensure they’re aware of the benefits of the NSW Government’s Vibrancy Reforms.

The visits also build awareness of the free one-stop-shop Hospitality Concierge support service, which is available to hospitality operators across NSW.

The two-day visit saw the Hospitality Concierge visit licensees and staff at nine pubs and clubs in Bonalbo, Kyogle, Uki and Murwillumbah, including the Dog ‘N Bull Hotel, Mount Warning Hotel and The Imperial Hotel. The team provided updates, discussed venue issues and sought feedback. 

The team explained the current incentives to host live music, as well as ways that venues can expand their offerings or reduce liquor licence fees.

While the The Dog ‘N Bull Hotel is not yet eligible for the live music incentive, it recently received a Live Performance Venue Grant from the NSW Government to upgrade its stage equipment, making it easier to attract more performers to the area.

Liquor & Gaming NSW Director Regulatory Excellence Melanie Brown said the outreach visits were an important forum to ensure businesses in regional areas were kept informed and could benefit from recent changes made under the NSW Government’s Vibrancy Reforms.

“Regional and remote hospitality businesses play a vital role in their communities as meeting places, and contribute to local economies and provide employment opportunities,” Ms Brown said.

“Liquor & Gaming NSW is committed to supporting licensed venues to ensure they have the information and resources they need to grow and thrive and can operate safely and responsibly.

“The Hospitality Concierge’s regional engagement program covered a lot of ground across NSW in its first year, with visits to Southern NSW, the Northern Tablelands and the South Coast. 

“We have received positive feedback from the more than 100 venue operators we have met with so far, and we plan to build on that success by visiting even more regional and remote areas this year.”

Some of the things discussed at the meetings included support with licensing and compliance, incentives for hosting live music, which includes extended trading hours and discounted liquor licence fees, and L&GNSW’s 2026 Regulatory Priorities.

Find out how the Hospitality Concierge can help your licensed business.

Find out more about the Vibrancy Reforms.