Groups Agree To Restrict Drinkers

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday January 16, 2008

By MICHELLE HARRIS

A SERIES of meetings on Newcastle's late-night venue problems began yesterday, but already a consensus may have been reached between community organisations on what one aspect of the solution should be.

Residents and representatives of groups including the Newcastle Alliance and Hunter Business Chamber met Liquor and Gaming director Albert Gardner yesterday.

Mr Gardner also spoke with a licensee and senior police, who provided arrest and assault data for the city.

He will meet Newcastle City Council and more licensees tomorrow.

Mr Gardner said the meetings were positive and residents and businesses had provided a "very clear understanding of what they say is occurring in Newcastle streets".

He said there were some solutions all parties agreed on, including a proposed ban on some high-alcohol beverages after midnight, a measure aimed at preventing patrons from indulging in a last-minute drinking binge.

"I don't think there's been any sort of rejection of the restrictions on the ready-to-drink [beverages]," Mr Gardner said.

Businesses and residents relayed anecdotes of late-night antisocial behaviour.

Residents' spokesman Tony Brown said many called for the immediate introduction of a midnight closing time for venues.

He said he would produce a report from the information gathered at the meetings and over the next four weeks to make recommendations to the Liquor Administration Board.

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© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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