Assaults on the streets of Byron Bay are on the wane, says Cr Paul Spooner (Country Labor).
In a report to Council last week, Cr Spooner says he was advised of the stats by police at a recent Byron Bay Liquor Accord meeting.
He said, ‘Back in 2012, there were just over 4,000 alcohol-related incidents; 36 per cent of those were assaults, so one in three. In 2015 that dropped down to just over 2,000 where there were 28 per cent assaults.
‘In 2016 it’s sitting at 1,342, which is down from the same period last year, so they’re a really positive turn around.
‘There has been a decline across state averages and we are still high up in the scheme of things but it’s encouraging.
Cr Spooner added, ‘There are very few alcohol or venues with alcohol licences who are actually paid up members of the accord.
‘There are only about 15 and there are something like 75 licensees.’
Crackdown over schoolies
The Office of Liquor and Gaming has meanwhile announced it will conduct random inspections at Byron Bay licensed premises during the next two weeks of schoolies celebrations.
A spokesperson said officers would be visiting venues checking on responsible service of alcohol, including selling liquor to minors.
‘There are court fines of up to $11,000 and potential… for a licence to be suspended for up to 28 days,’ the spokesperson said.
