NEWS
By Luke Shaw
Talks have begun on how the Bligh Government’s Drink Safe Precinct will operate when it comes into force in Fortitude Valley in December.
Local licensees have shown support for the two-year trial, particularly increased police numbers, but this might be tested as talks nut out how stakeholders will share this cost – and whether the bigger players will be expected or prepared to take on a bigger share of that burden.
Under the $4.2million trial, three Drink Safe Precincts will operate in the Valley, Surfers Paradise and Townsville. Police numbers will be increased, taxi zones better supervised and more support services will be made available. The government will fund the first 12 months of the plan, said to cost $2.4 million in the Valley alone, but expects the industry to put its hand in its pockets after that.
The Valley trial will include the exiiting Valley Entertainment Precinct – Australia’s first designated entertainment zone – and Valley Chamber of Commerce executive officer Carol Gordon says talks over coming weeks would need to “rationalise” the roles of exisiting bodies such as the Valley Malls Avisory Committee.
Premier Anna Bligh told a recent Valley Chamber of Commerce luncheon that club and pub owners would be approached to cover the increased costs. Premier Bligh said she expected the trial to show positive results and warned that the government would “go back to the drawing board” on the issue if it did not.
This would include revisiting trading hours, which the government had not changed when adopting most of the parliamentary committee’s recommendations. The Queensland Police Union was highly critical that closing times had not been wound back as recommended.
The increased police operations have been welcomed by one of the biggest players in the Valley entertainment scene, Les Pullos whose businesses at the top end of the Valley mall include the Royal George Hotel, Ric’s, Fat Boys and the Bank.
He said the trial was a step in the right direction, and believed that a more visible police presence was critical to the success of the plan.
“A proactive, highly visible police presence dramatically reduces the incidents of acts of public misbehaviour,” Mr Pullos said.
“There’s simply never enough police in Valley Entertainment Precinct at busy times over the weekend.
“On the occasions that sufficient numbers are deployed, such as New Years Eve and Valley Fiesta, the level of problems decrease as a direct result,” he said. Mr Pullos called for four extra squads to patrol the valley on Friday and Saturday nights in addition to the current police roster.
“If it’s safe and feels comfortable then it’s good for business, and of course the opposite is true. “Perception is everything,” he said.
Above: Premier Anna Bligh addresses the recent Valley Chamber of Commerce luncheon
with her Deputy Paul Lucas in the audience.
