Safe night precincts
Safe night precincts (SNPs) exist in key entertainment areas across Queensland. They are a Queensland Government initiative to reduce late-night drug and alcohol-related violence.
SNPs aim to:
- achieve cultural change around drinking behaviour
- promote responsible drinking practices
- ensure a safe environment in and around Queensland's licensed venues
- minimise alcohol and drug-related disturbances or public disorder.
Certain venues located within SNPs are subject to additional requirements, which support patron safety, particularly during extended trading hours, and other initiatives in the SNP areas.
SNP boundaries and location maps
SNPs have been set up in the following areas, each location map shows the designated SNP boundary:
- Airlie Beach
- Brisbane CBD
- Broadbeach CBD
- Bundaberg CBD
- Cairns CBD
- Fortitude Valley
- Gladstone CBD
- Inner West Brisbane (including Caxton Street)
- Ipswich CBD
- Mackay CBD
- Rockhampton CBD
- Sunshine Coast (Caloundra, Maroochydore and Mooloolaba)
- Surfers Paradise CBD
- Toowoomba CBD
- Townsville CBD.
Use the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) interactive map to see SNP boundaries online.
Trading hours within SNPs
Eligible licensees within SNP locations can apply for approval to permanently trade liquor until 3am. Outside the SNPs, the latest trading time is 2am.
For special occasions or significant events, licensees must apply for temporary extended trading hours approval to continue selling alcohol beyond these times.
Patrons will have a 30-minute grace period after last drinks are called to finish their alcoholic drinks.
Find out more about extending liquor licence trading hours.
Identification (ID) scanning
Certain licensees in SNPs must operate networked identification (ID) scanners. This applies to SNP licensees who have approval to sell alcohol past midnight on a permanent basis and don't have a specific exemption from this requirement.
Networked ID scanners compare the details of scanned patrons attempting to enter your venue against a list of patrons banned by venues, police and the court.
If your venue is not subject to the ID scanning requirements, you can still opt in to the networked ID scanner system.
Read more about ID scanning in licensed venues.
SNP reviews
The minister must review each SNP every 3 years to determine whether they continue to achieve their purpose of creating a safer night-time environment in Queensland entertainment areas.
Griffith University is conducting the first triennial SNP review—an evaluation framework will guide the reviews and help determine whether:
- each SNP is meeting its purpose
- SNP boundaries need to be adjusted or revoked.
Also consider...
- Find out about SNP local boards.
- Download the proud SNP member sign.
- Get advice about alcohol consumption and supply.
- Read about support services in safe night precincts.
- Read the Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Act 2016 and the Liquor Act 1992.