Sydney’s lock out laws to be lifted for New Year’s Eve celebrations

In a bid to prevent a million revellers gridlocking Sydney roads this New Year’s Eve, lock-out laws will once again be lifted.

The controversial laws which force pubs and clubs in Kings Cross and the Central Business District to turn party-goers away after 1.30am each night will be lifted this Thursday night.

The Office Of Liquor, Gaming & Racing (OLGR) hopes the move will prevent the estimated one million people heading to the city for New Year’s Eve celebrations from swarming Sydney roads and public transport after midnight closures.

OLGR acting executive director Samantha Torres said city-goers should not get used to the lock-out law lenience.

“Removal of the lockout on New Year's Eve only is a one-off annual exception that is in place due to the unique circumstances,” she said in a statement. 

“New Year's Eve is unique because the main event around which celebrations are focused occurs at and after midnight.

“On no other occasion do we see such high volumes of people concentrated in the CBD precinct seeking access to venues at a time that coincides with the lockout."

Venues in the affected areas will still have to stop serving alcohol at 3am, however.

Laws preventing licensed services from dropping people off within the CBD after midnight have also been altered for the night and will only apply from 3am – 7am on New Year’s Day.