Legal Project Management Plan & Checklist
Use this fork when the local Police Area Command (PAC) or Local Health District (LHD) lodges a formal written objection to the liquor licence application during either the pre-lodgement consultation period or the post-lodgement noticeboard period. A formal police or LHD objection immediately triggers two consequences: the application cannot be determined by an LGNSW delegate and must be escalated to the full ILGA Board for determination; and the post-lodgement noticeboard advertising period is extended to a minimum of 30 days (if it was not already 30 days).
This fork operates before the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) full Board, which must determine all applications where police or a local health district has formally objected. No delegate determination is available. Review of the Board's determination lies with NCAT's Administrative and Equal Opportunity Division under s 36C of the Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007 (NSW) within 28 days of the Board's written decision.
The formal police or LHD objection is received and analysed. The client is advised that escalation to the ILGA Board is automatic and mandatory. A comprehensive written response to the objection is drafted. A negotiation meeting with the objecting agency is scheduled to understand the specific concerns and explore whether conditions can be negotiated that would satisfy the objection. The matter escalates to the ILGA Board. Submissions are prepared incorporating the 1 July 2025 Ministerial Directions, which require the Board to give equal weight to all statutory objectives and to justify any restrictive conditions on the specific circumstances of the venue rather than applying blanket precautionary conditions. A Statement of Reasons is requested from the Board after determination. If the determination is adverse, a 28-day window opens for NCAT merits review under s 36C.
Key legislation: Liquor Act 2007 (NSW) s 48(5) (ILGA must consider: likely harm to the community, impact on the amenity of the locality, community demand for the service, and business viability); Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007 (NSW) s 36A (ILGA Board internal review, 28 days), s 36C (NCAT merits review, 28 days from Board's written determination); Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997 (NSW); 1 July 2025 Ministerial Directions issued by the Hon. David Harris MP (require ILGA to give equal weight to all statutory objectives and require venue-specific justification for any restrictive conditions - cannot apply blanket precautionary restrictions). Mandatory Board determination: once police or LHD formally objects, the delegate loses power to determine - escalation to the Board is automatic and cannot be waived.
* Disclaimer: We're nobody's lawyer, because we aren't lawyers. You are, so you know better than to take legal advice from an app. We also aren't accountants or dog trainers - just digital spirit guides taking zero liability for any of this. This site exists to gather the collective knowledge of practitioners like you. Verify everything and submit your feedback on the Liquor: Licence Application and Community Impact Statement (Applicant) - Contested Application - Police or Local Health District Formal Objection matter plan to improve the playbook. THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, it's a request for input.
This legal matter plan provides a structured workflow for LICENSING cases, outlining the standard ADMINISTRATIVE process. Utilize these tracking templates to manage your legal cases efficiently.
The client understands the escalation to the ILGA Board and has approved the strategy for responding to the objection.
The applicant's response to the objection is on the record and every available opportunity to resolve the objection through voluntary conditions has been explored.
The application has been determined by the ILGA Board. Statement of Reasons obtained for assessment of review or appeal prospects.
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