Tweed venues have followed Byron’s lead on something: they have introduced a voluntary liquor accord to crack down on problem drinking.
Under the terms of the accord, which came into effect this week, venues have agreed not to serve shots or ‘any drink designed to be consumed rapidly’, or pre-mixed drinks with a higher than six per cent alcohol content at any time.
Additionally, they will not serve more than four drinks per customer after midnight and will not allow any punter to have more than two unconsumed drinks at any one time.
The measures are a watered-down version of Byron’s tougher accord, however, which also bans jugs at all times and cocktails after midnight.
There is also no proposed lockout time in the Tweed accord.
Like Byron, though, venues will not admit punters who are seen to be drinking on approach and have agreed to preserve crime scenes until police arrive.
The other terms of the accord focus on education of youth and schoolkids in the area through the RISKK program, reinforcing the message about drink driving and providing greater public knowledge about the responsible service of alcohol requirements.
Venues will promote safe transport options including Tweed’s community bus services.
While Tweed does not have the same degree of regular alcohol-related violence as Byron, there have been some serious incidents. Last year, former NRL player Craig Field was involved in an altercation outside the Kingscliff Hotel in which a man died, and which subsequently saw Field charged with murder.
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