In his Culturazi email Loadedog has detailed the iron grip of Government encircling the throat of one of Canberra’s more endearing cultural institutions, the Backyard Backanalias:
- Backyard Backanalia under threat
This morning I had a visit from a very nice police lady who was responding to an ‘expression of concern’ from a member of the public about the goings on in our backyard. It was all very amicable and, while there are clearly risks for me personally from a public liability perspective, and some grey areas about what constitutes a private party versus a commercial proposition, she was satisfied that we were taking steps to keep the crowd numbers to a reasonable level and has left me thinking we have a green light from the cops to proceed.
Which would be great if we hadn’t last week received a letter from our real estate advising us they were onto us (having seen the web site) and that we should cease activities immediately lest they throw us out. Hmm. We’ve previously been investigated by PALM (now ACTPLA), the cops have passed it, we might have a case to argue, but at this stage the status of the Backanalias is ‘under threat’.
Oh, and in the middle of writing this, Liquor Licensing came to the door. Just informing us of the rules and regs and firing a warning shot. We can (and probably will if we go ahead in future) apply for a permit to sell grog (in which case no byo), but probably can’t charge money at the door, nor sell food other than suasage sangers if, as expected, the health authorities turn up next (the police informed Liquor Licensing). That’s assuming we can convince the landlord.
While it’s nice to see such unexpected thoroughness and rigour from the local bureaucracy it’s a shame if it means the end of an institution that has caused little harm and brought much happiness.
In slightly better news Loadedog has moved websites. If you used to read Loadedog.com you can now find him at culturazi.com. Pictures of what he’s done to his ute ASAP.