Radical plan to shake-up pubs and nightclubs in Sydney will see bouncers roving entertainment precincts

Bouncers will roam the streets on nights out instead of guarding pubs and clubs in a radical process proposed by the New South Wales government.

The proposal would see municipal security guards patrol the entire precinct to reduce violence and create a more positive atmosphere for those enjoying Sydney’s nightlife.

NSW Minister for Music and Nightlife Economy John Graham hopes to test the idea before the summer and is looking for willing councils.

Internal security will remain permanently stationed at larger locations, but at smaller venues there will be staff at the door to welcome customers.

Community members have strongly opposed the idea as they believe it will lead to an increase in brawls in locations that would require a quick response from trained bouncers to eradicate.

Community members and working bouncers are strongly opposed to the idea, claiming it will only increase violence and lengthen security forces’ response times.

The plan will not mean “the end of bouncers”, according to Graham, who insists it will revamp the city’s nightlife, which has struggled to restart since the pandemic.

“We definitely need bouncers and security to keep people safe, here’s a more flexible way of doing it that works abroad,” he said. told 2GB’s Deborah Knight.

‘I often get feedback that it’s quite tense at the doors of venues with quite heavy security, just as you walk in: this is a better way to do it.’

Clubs that do not require 24-hour security will pool their funds under the new plan, which the minister claims will save money and keep the border area safe.

Similar security models have reportedly proven effective in London and Brighton in Britain, and Washington in the United States.

‘An on-site safety approach could mean less security at the door of an individual location and more people in the police station and on the street providing the right guidance and ensuring customers and the public feel safe and welcome at a fun night out instead of the antagonistic and confrontational atmosphere that currently prevails,” said Graham told the Daily Telegraph.

“I want to go out in the evening in NSW and be as relaxed as a summer day at the beach or pool. Unfortunately, that’s the opposite of the nightlife culture that emerged from the era of lockouts. It’s too tense, it’s not welcoming and the security is too heavy-handed.’

The Minns government introduced the idea after the Night Time Industries Association surveyed young Sydneysiders and found they “often describe safety as intimidating”.

Suburbs currently being eyed for the pilot phase of the program include Redfern, Hornsby, Leichhardt and Randwick.

Mr Graham has encouraged local councils to brainstorm the idea with his office so that the city’s flagging nightlife can be revived as quickly as possible.

The proposal comes as Sydney’s nightlife remains subdued, six years after drastic lockout laws were introduced to curb alcohol-fuelled violence.

The laws were lifted in 2020, around the same time a convenient $2.80 weekend fare on public transit was lifted, but by then 176 locations across the city had already lost so much business that they could no longer stay open.

However, concerned locals are still against the idea of ​​removing bouncers as they say it will make it harder for security to respond immediately if fights break out.

Minister for Music and Nightlife Economy John Graham has said a trial for the program will begin before the summer and he hopes this will create a safer atmosphere.

Sam, 22, worked at the Region Hotel in Kingston and told Ny Breaking Australia that bouncers patrolling the streets could only add to the tension.

“I don’t know if that would solve the problem of people feeling intimidated, like when you see a cop walking down the street you get a little tense as well,” he said.

“And if something does happen, it sounds like security is less likely to respond to something at a real location.

“If a fight breaks out, should an employee get involved, or should they let it continue until security or police get there?”

The former hospitality worker said he has had to de-escalate situations between customers on a number of occasions, but added that bouncers are “built for the job.”

“I’ve personally had to de-escalate quite a few issues, but not everyone is as confident as I am,” he said.

“I think it would require a significant amount of additional training because I don’t know what the law says about taking someone’s hands if you’re just a regular employee.

“I know most people would choose self-preservation over de-escalation if it looked dangerous, and I feel like most bouncers are built for their job, while hospitality workers come in many different shapes and sizes.”