License premises in the Riverina including Temora, Junee, Coolamon, Illabo and Harden have been visited by staff from Liquor and Gaming NSW’s Hospitality to support a safe, vibrant and responsible sector. Now in their second year, the regional engagements aim to reach owners and operators in their communities to answer questions and provide support on licensing and compliance, and the benefits of the NSW Government’s Vibrancy Reforms including incentives for hosting live music. The visits also build awareness of the free one-stop-shop Hospitality Concierge support service, which is available to hospitality operators across NSW, and Liquor and Gaming NSW’s regulatory priorities. During the three-day visit Hospitality Concierge team engaged with licensees and staff across pubs and clubs in the towns as well as representatives from the Cootamundra and Leeton and Narrandera Liquor Accords. During these visits, venues received practical guidance on licence conditions and ways to adjust them, as well as how to access live music and vibrancy incentives with clear instructions on how to apply. Direct support also addressed local operational challenges, improved understanding of regulatory expectations, and strengthened confidence in maintaining compliance. The Hospitality Concierge has also demonstrated its value at other locations, with a recent visit to Murwillumbah saving a venue more than $6,000 on its annual liquor licence fees after helping the manager apply for a different licence that was better suited to the business’s operations. Liquor and 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 complied with NSW liquor and gaming laws. “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 and 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 was created to meet that commitment through tailored support from our friendly staff who understand the challenges of running a licensed premises, as well as ways to help venues get the most out of their business. “The Hospitality Concierge’s regional engagement has covered a lot of ground since it was created in 2025, with visits to Southern NSW, the Northern Tablelands, the South Coast and Northern Rivers. “We have received positive feedback from more than 100 venue operators we have met with, and we plan to build on that success by visiting more in the Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains later this year.” To find out how the Hospitality Concierge can help your licensed business, go to: Contact the Hospitality Concierge | NSW Government
