Tony Brown, Newcastle
Regarding the sensible letter you published from Dr Graham Truswell on Tuesday.
The key measure that resulted in unprecedented and disproportionate reductions in alcohol related harms and costs in Newcastle associated with pubs and clubs loading up bingers to 5am, was a very modest evidence-based reduction in late trading to 3am. This initial action was initiated by local police and subsequently joined by a record number of residents and community members led by myself. By the way, the pubs themselves ultimately agreed to a 3.30am closing to settle their court appeal.
This is what makes the local Byron community’s push for ‘ last drinks at 12’ (from 3am) by far, the most convincing and compelling.
None of the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing’s (OLGR) new voluntary conditions for Byron (developed with no genuine community input) can be accurately or fairly described as ‘ strict’ or ‘ tough’. They are firstly completely unenforceable (unlike Newcastle – where the mandatory conditions do apply all week), secondly, do not involve any meaningful reduction in the dangerous levels of grog supplied to the accord’s collective patrons after midnight – to reduce intoxication (the catalyst for violence) and finally, avoid any reduction in hours – the independently established single and simple most effective measure to prevent alcohol related harms in the public context.
If as the Byron Bay Liquor Accord and OLGR assert the so called ‘ strict’ conditions are working, how do they explain the recent outbreak of ugly alcohol fuelled violence in Byron and examples of ongoing non-compliance of even the ‘ voluntary’ conditions by some operators? – Oh I forget, ‘ it was the outbreak of warm weather’, according to comments made to Echonetdaily on 9 July http://echonetdaily.echo.net.au/orgy-of-violence-in-byron-bay/
I really encourage the OLGR and Liquor Accord to collaborate with the community as advocated by Dr Truswell on behalf of ‘ 12’ and give effect to the key objects of the NSW Liquor Act (currently under review) being ‘ alcohol harm minimisation’ and that the outcomes (genuinely) reflect the ‘ aspirations and expectations of the community’.
Public safety must be put before pub profits. This must be resolved in Byron before the ‘ outbreak’ of summer 2013/14.