Using Cumulative Impact Assessment as a smokescreen in NSW alcohol harm reduction laws: a commentary

In 2020 the New South Wales Liquor Act was amended to allow the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) to approve new liquor authorisations in parts of the Sydney CBD otherwise subject to a freeze. The vehicle for this was called Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA). In effect the Amendment added promotion of business vitality to an established list of considerations previously set out by ILGA in its Guideline (6) on social impact assessment. The strategy set out in a new Guideline (18) appears to use an impartial and objective methodology while advocating reliance on intangible criteria and selective use of data in order to increase applicant chances of success against a rebuttable presumption against approval. While CIA is an established method in other professional areas, its use in the amendment influenced by the industry risks exacerbating alcohol-related harm.