NEWS
The State Government’s decision to trial more police numbers as its main answer to combatting alcohol-fuelled violence in the state’s main entertainment precincts has been given tacit approval by the Valley Liquor Accord.
VLA chief executive Danny Blair cautiously backed the beefed-up police numbers and the banning of violent offenders from entertainment precincts.
“From what we’ve read, it’s a step in the right direction and common sense appears to be prevailing,” Mr Blair said. “We’ve been calling for more police and banning powers for 12 months and finally we’re starting see some positive results.
“However, we hope there are strong guide lines for issuing bans and police do not abuse their powers. It’s best that any bans are issued by the courts.”
Under the plan announced by Premier Anna Bligh at a media conference in the Valley Mall on Sunday, key locations including the Valley entertainment precinct would become Drink Safe Precincts (DSP) under a $4.2million plan to counter alcohol-related violence.
But a major recommendation of a parliamentary inquiry – earlier closer times – has been ignored. Lockout times, opposed by some venues, will stay as they are. Police numbers will increase during peak times in some areas and better supervised taxi zones, more support services, and the creation of special safe zones will all feature in the new precincts.
The government will also legislate for new powers to ban people committing alcohol-related violence from the areas and it will become mandatory for pubs and clubs to offer free drinking water to patrons. The use of ID scanners by clubs will also be supported under the plan.
Premier Anna Bligh said the pilot Drink Safe Precincts (DSP) would be run like major sporting events with coordinated policing, security and support services provided to deliver a safe environment for patrons.
“The first of these new precincts will be piloted in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, the Gold Coast and Townsville commencing in December 2010,” she said.
“The Queensland Government has already approved funding for the first 12 months but after this period an agreement will be reached with industry stakeholders so they can shoulder some of the cost of the measures along with the Queensland taxpayer.
“These areas all see large volumes of people move through them during the weekends with up to 40,000 people visiting the Valley on a busy Saturday night.
“The existing lock out laws will stay in place to provide certainty to both licensees and patrons and also give the new measures a chance to work.
“We want Queenslanders to be able to go to entertainment areas in their city and enjoy a night out in as much safety as possible but with as little interference as possible.
“The new precincts will have special Safe Zones where people can go if they have had too much to drink, are experiencing harassment, violence or simply need a safe place to clear their heads.|
“These will be staffed by experienced community workers and volunteers from local community groups.”
The major player in the Valley, Lou Bickle, enthusiastically embraced the plan at the weekend media event.
As the Premier concluded her remarks he called out: “Congratulations. Very sensible recommendations.”
Mr Bickle, whose family runs iconic venues such as Family, Cloudland and the Empire Hotel, said he stood ready and willing to help the trial period succeed.
Danny Blair from the Valley Liquor Accord said he hoped the Valley-based Chaplain Watch would be given strong financial support.
“Chaplain Watch has been an invaluable service to Valley patrons and stakeholders for seven years and the Government needs to get behind it.”
Mr Blair was disappointed the 3am lock had not been removed and he wanted to see the full list of recommendations before giving blanket approval to the changes.|
“What we’ve seen so far are changes we’ve been requesting for a long time and we welcome the support of clubs using ID scanners,” Mr Blair said.
“We need to see the remaining changes and whether they will impact on our economy, if they will cost jobs and whether there will be a downturn in tourism.”
He said increased signage in and around the Valley, especially the train station, was in keeping with the VLA’s strong stance of improving safety in the area and easing the frustration of commuters.|
“This can only be a plus for the precinct,” Mr Blair said.
Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek slammed the plan, saying it offered no immediate help for major centres across the state, ignoring Cairns, Mackay, Whitsunday, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba.
He said the Bligh Government was offering nothing to tackle serious alcohol-related problems in these centres and nothing to boost police resources to quell violence.
“Anna Bligh and her Police Minister seem to think if it doesn’t happen in the Valley, on the Gold Coast or Townsville it’s not an issue,” Mr Langbroek said.
“What about Cairns, Anna …what about Mackay, Whitsunday, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba ... the alcohol-related problems in those centres are just as bad and in some cases worse because police are so under-resourced."
Top: Premier Anna Bligh outlines the anti-violence plan with Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson and Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor. And Lou Bickle gives the plan his enthusiastic support.
