Staff reporters
The NSW government has awarded Byron Shire Council $50,000 for its Safe Nights program aimed at reducing alcohol-related violence, attorney-general Greg Smith and member for Ballina Don Page announced last week.
‘Byron Bay is one of Australia’s most picturesque towns by day but there is nothing pretty about the drunken violence that is occurring late at night and early in the morning,’ Mr Smith said.
‘The Safe Nights program will attempt to curb the violence by running a “party smart” campaign and developing a late night transport strategy.’
The funding, provided under the Crime Prevention program of the Department of Attorney-General and Justice, will help to establish and promote a late night bus service in Byron Bay that will operate on Friday and Saturday (from midnight until 6am) and during peak holiday periods.
Late night buses
‘The nightrider bus will get people home safely and help to address the problem of drunken people milling about on the streets and causing trouble after leaving licensed venues,’ Mr Page said.
Council will distribute ‘party smart’ kits to backpackers, local high school students, young people celebrating schoolies and other visitors to Byron Bay.
‘The kits will include harm minimisation messages, information about alcohol free zones, late night transport options and the problems linked to binge drinking,’ Mr Page said.
The Safe Nights program has been developed in consultation with a range of stakeholders including Tweed-Byron Police, Byron Youth Service, North Coast Area Health Service, the Byron Bay Liquor Accord, Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce, backpacker accommodation providers and local transport operators.
The Byron local government area was ranked sixth in NSW for assault (non-domestic violence related) in 2012, according to the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.
NSW Police Force data have revealed that 81 per cent of assaults in Byron Bay last year were related to alcohol, with most occurring in public places.
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