Cheeky Monkeys still on most violent venues list

A STATEWIDE list of violent venues confirms a continuing fall in violent incidents on licensed premises, with Byron Shire having only one venue on the list.

Strong police presence on New Year Eve in Byron Bay . Picture: Mireille Merlet-Shaw

A STATEWIDE list of violent venues confirms a continuing fall in violent incidents on licensed premises, with Byron Shire having only one venue, Cheeky Monkeys Bar and Restaurant, remaining on the list.

According to the Minister for Hospitality George Souris the NSW Government's recent crackdown on alcohol-fuelled violence is delivering results.

The Byron Bay Liquor Liquor Accord are currently trialling a number of measures including a 1.30am lockout with in its member venues to try to reduce alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in the town.

Byron has 72 licensed venues and as of March this year 27 were members of the Accord which worked closely with Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) to develop the suite of voluntary measures.

Mr Souris said the NSW Government had developed a comprehensive guide to help licensed venues deal with troublemakers - with penalties ranging from permanent venue bans to fines of up to $5,500.

"OLGR will be auditing the 16 named venues to ensure they have adequate venue management plans in place to help control the risk of alcohol-related violence on their premises," Mr Souris said.

"They will also conduct ongoing checks to enforce responsible service of alcohol practices and to monitor compliance with licence conditions.

"Congratulations to the 13 venues which successfully removed themselves from the list by achieving some impressive reductions in alcohol-related violence, including three Newcastle venues Argyle House (formerly Fanny's), King Street Hotel, and MJ Finnegans. Kent Hotel is now the only Newcastle venue on the list.

"Kings Cross also has only one venue, the Trademark Hotel, on the list as does Byron Bay with the Cheeky Monkeys Bar and Restaurant.

"However, there is no cause for complacency with another six Kings Cross venues just falling below the Level 2 threshold after recording between nine and 11 incidents, three other Byron Bay venues recording nine incidents each, and three other Newcastle venues recording 11 incidents each.

Mr Souris said the NSW Government remained committed to working with local communities to implement measures to address alcohol-related violence, anti-social behaviour and other harm.

"Overall, these latest results are encouraging and I am confident that this downward trend can continue if licensees remain vigilant in managing their venues to ensure the responsible sale, service and promotion of alcohol, when combined with the tough new measures introduced by the NSW Government.

"The Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing is currently finalising a review of the violent venues scheme to ensure its ongoing effectiveness in reducing violent incidents in and around licensed venues and the results will be released shortly.

"I encourage all licensed venues to regularly review their alcohol and security management plans to ensure best practice procedures and staff training are in place."