Councils Must Lead Fight Against Alcohol-Fueled Violence

Local Governments around NSW are joining the fight against alcohol-related violence and backing calls by police and other emergency service workers who are sick of being punching bags for drunks every Saturday night.

Alcohol-related violence is not just something that affects Kings Cross and Manly.  It is a problem right across NSW.

From Byron Bay to Albury, people are going out late at night and either injuring themselves, other people or the police, nurses, doctors and paramedics who have to clean up the mess.

Yet the only answer our state politicians have offered is cheap talk about ‘personal responsibility’.

That’s why it was a relief to hear NSW councils back calls for tougher licensing restrictions on hotels, pubs and clubs at the recent Local Government Association conference in Albury.

The councils unanimously backed the Last Drinks campaign, which is being run by police, nurses, doctors and paramedics who are fed up with the amount of alcohol-related violence in our community.

Councils also called for the State Government and Opposition to reject political donations from hotels, clubs and the alcohol industry.

Local councils, like police, nurses, doctors and paramedics, understand the impact of alcohol-related violence and the damage it can cause.

In fact, many councils around NSW are already taking action to implement practical solutions and stop the bloodshed on our streets.

The City of Sydney is a good example. Lord Mayor Clover Moore has drawn a line in the sand and has stood up to the bullying tactics of the hotel industry.

Byron Shire Council has also stepped up to the plate by introducing its own measures – such as trialling of 1am lockouts at pubs and bars.

And many councils including North Sydney Council are making public streets and local parks alcohol-free zones. Such areas discourage anti-social behaviour and help police manage public safety more efficiently.

However, councils don’t always get it right. Recently Fairfield Council made a decision to allow Smithfield RSL Club, a club in a residential area, to extend its trading hours.

The decision by Fairfield Council went against the wishes of local residents who feared an increase in anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhood late at night.

Councils have the power to tailor their solutions to the ever-growing problem of alcohol-related violence, but would do well to consider what works in other cities and towns, as well as standing up to pressures from the hotel industry.

In Newcastle, a range of modest restrictions such as 1.30am lockouts and 3am closing times have led to a 37 per cent reduction in night-time assaults.

It’s time for councils to be creative and talk to local police and doctors in emergency departments who know what alcohol-related violence is doing to their community.

Councils can take a leadership role in the fight against alcohol-related violence.

And by showing the way, councils can also increase the pressure on the State Government and Opposition to start taking the issue alcohol-related violence seriously.

An edited version of this article was published by the Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday 9 November, 2010.