It’s hard to believe that in the middle of a strong community-based campaign to tackle alcohol-related problem behaviour in Byron Bay, some business people would propose the setting up of a topless bar in the centre of town, to stay open until 7am!
So it was a relief to see that the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority has called for a community impact statement in its assessment of the application of a liquor licence transfer to enable the bar, as has been reported recently.
It’s time for people who are concerned about the future of the town to show their support for mayor Simon Richardson in his urging of Byron Council to make a submission that the bar is not in the public interest.
Surely it’s not wowserish to feel, as Simon does, that topless bars, like wet T-shirt competitions and jelly wrestling ‘are demeaning to women and lower the town’s reputation’.
Isn’t it obvious that the kind of disturbing behaviour that the town is subjected to every weekend is going to be exacerbated by having intoxicated men, sexually aroused by ogling semi-naked women behind the bar, out on the street at night?
Is this the kind of tourism that we want to encourage? Let’s all make submissions to the community impact statement and encourage all our contacts to do the same at liquorapplications@olgr.nsw.gov.au,
Christine Willmot, Sunrise Beach
When I first read about the proposed topless bar I thought it had to be a joke. We know the carpetbaggers are ever ready to exploit the Byron Bay name to make money but even they surely can see the damage this would do not only to the town but also to the “Byron brand”. A town once renowned for its beautiful beaches, healthy lifestyles, friendly people and strong sense of community is now more known for drunken idiots making residents and visitors reluctant to be on the streets late at night. And as for having to face them at 7am, how’s that for a way to ruin an early morning walk!
I’ve read comments in relation to the topless bar and also the Last Drinks at 12 campaign that “Byron is a young peoples town” but the young people I work with don’t appreciate that their freedom to enjoy being out late at night is threatened by alcohol related violence. And they are all way too classy and intelligent to patronise a topless bar! I mean seriously, it’s 2013! This Playboy club style of “entertainment” was already naff in the 80s, now it’s just plain embarrassing.
I agree with the mayor and Christine Willmot, let’s all tell the ILGA that we don’t want this bar in Byron Shire!
It is very important that you request your objections be heard by the actual Authority members who meet once a month and that the application is not delegated to OLGR officers for determination acting on behalf of ILGA. It is also important you prove that the transfer of the liquor license and consequential use of the premise is not in the “public interest” and will have a “negative social impact” on the community. The Police and Council have powers to lodge complaints concerning the “fit and proper person” test for licensees and “close associates”
Boys will be boys, until they grow up, which in most cases is never.
And self-serving business interests will always go as far as self-serving authorities let them.
The human race has a long long way to go, and may never reach full maturity before it dies out.
That’s the way it is. Get used to it.