Bid for closing at 6am

INNER GEELONG nightclub Basement 159 has pitched its bid for a 6am liquor licence as a “recovery session”.
The bid follows a Deakin University study finding that Geelong nightlife initiatives against alcohol violence have been a failure.
Under the Basement 159 plans, the venue would encourage patrons to consume free water.
Proprietor Joe Cara said in his application to City Hall that the nightclub, at the corner of Moorabool and Ryrie St, wanted to extend its liquor licence from 3am to 6am on Saturdays and Sundays.
“Crowd controllers will be present at all hours of the recovery session as well as free water not only being available it will be encouraged by staff and security to all patrons,” the application said.
“Patrons will be escorted to the taxi stand in front of the venue upon leaving the recovery session as well as have access to the venue phone to arrange a lift home if required.”
The Independent earlier this month that Deakin researcher Peter Miller had found that reducing alcohol trading hours was a better way to cut violence than implementing Geelong initiatives such as ID scanners, two-way radios and education campaigns.
Associate Professor Miller found that Newcastle’s cut of venue hours to 3.30am immediately reduced alcohol-related violence.
Mr Cara’s application said the additional three hours to 6am would “improve Geelong’s current nightlife, offering Geelong an alternative style of music at a classy venue open till the early hours of the morning.
“I do not believe that the extended hours will have any negative effects on the surrounding area or the other venues in the immediate area.”