Why You Should Check Your Red Line Plan Now That They’re Publicly Available

For many licensed venue operators, a red line plan is something that only gets looked at when applying for a new liquor licence or making changes to an existing one. Once approved, it often sits in the filing cabinet until it’s needed again.

That has now changed.

As announced in Liquor Control Victoria’s June 2026 newsletter, red line plans are now publicly available through the online Liquor Licences and Applications search portal. Anyone can now view the approved licensed area for a venue by searching its liquor licence.

While this is a welcome step towards greater transparency, it also provides an opportunity for venue operators to ensure their approved licensed area accurately reflects how their business operates today.

What is a Red Line Plan?

A red line plan is a detailed floor plan that identifies exactly where alcohol may be sold, supplied, served and consumed under a liquor licence.

It forms part of the liquor licence and is a legally recognised document. The approved licensed area is defined not only by the wording of the licence, but also by the endorsed red line plan.

If an area is not included within the approved red line, alcohol generally cannot be supplied or consumed there.

Why This Matters

Businesses naturally evolve over time.

Outdoor dining areas are expanded.

Bars are relocated.

Function rooms are renovated.

Internal walls are removed.

New alfresco areas are constructed.

The problem is that these physical changes don’t automatically update your liquor licence.

We’ve seen many situations where the venue operating today looks very different from the premises shown on the approved red line plan.

Common Issues We See

At OTL Consulting Group, some of the most common issues we encounter include:

• Outdoor dining areas operating outside the approved licensed area.
• Additional seating areas created during renovations that were never added to the licence.
• Function rooms being used for liquor service despite not being included on the endorsed plan.
• Bars being relocated during renovations without updating the licence.
• Storage or back-of-house areas accidentally included within the licensed area.
• Temporary changes gradually becoming permanent without any corresponding licence amendment.

Many of these situations develop innocently over time. A venue may have undergone several renovations, changed ownership, or expanded its operations without anyone considering whether the red line plan also needed updating.

Public Access Means Greater Visibility

With red line plans now publicly accessible, venue operators can more easily review exactly what has been approved.

This also means greater transparency for regulators, consultants, purchasers, neighbouring landowners and anyone undertaking due diligence on a licensed premises.

Rather than viewing this as a compliance risk, we see it as an excellent opportunity for businesses to review their licence documentation and confirm everything is accurate.

A Good Time for a Compliance Health Check

If you haven’t reviewed your liquor licence documentation for several years, now is an ideal time to ask a few simple questions:

• Does the approved red line accurately reflect the current layout of the venue?
• Are all outdoor trading areas included?
• Have any renovations altered the licensed area?
• Are all bars, dining spaces and function areas correctly shown?
• Do your licence conditions still align with how the venue operates today?

Identifying issues early is generally far easier than dealing with them after an inspection or during a licence variation.

We’re Here to Help

At OTL Consulting Group, preparing and amending red line plans is one of our core areas of expertise.

Whether you’re purchasing an existing licensed venue, renovating your premises, expanding into outdoor areas, or simply want peace of mind that your documentation is accurate, we can review your existing licence and advise whether any amendments are required.

With red line plans now readily available to the public, there’s never been a better time to ensure yours accurately reflects your venue.

Need your red line plan reviewed?

If you’re unsure whether your approved licensed area still matches your venue, contact OTL Consulting Group. Our team can review your existing licence documentation, identify any issues, and assist with preparing updated red line plans and liquor licence variation applications where required.