George Street South (Sydney Central) Precinct Liquor Accord – Summary
Hassle Free Nights is a comprehensive plan to reduce alcohol-related violence and foster safer, more vibrant entertainment districts.
It focuses on locally tailored solutions and a cooperative approach between NSW Police, Government agencies, councils, licensed premises, late-trading businesses and communities.
Among other things, Hassle Free Nights provides increased late night transport options across targeted entertainment districts, new laws to reduce street drinking, powers to regulate trading hours, and the establishment of Precinct Liquor Accords (PLAs) in Sydney Central, Manly, Parramatta, Wollongong and Newcastle/Hamilton.
The Sydney Central – George Street South Precinct Liquor Accord was developed by participants at meetings on 6 October and 10 November 2010, and approved by the Director-General, Communities NSW, on 25 February 2011. The following measures were based on extensive PLA participant, industry and stakeholder feedback:
1. Precinct Ambassadors – Precinct Ambassadors act as precinct concierge and provide information and offer assistance to visitors to the George Street South area. The Precinct Ambassadors will be trialled for twelve weeks on Friday and Saturday nights commencing 25 February 2011. The Precinct Ambassadors will work within the PLA boundary between Park and Hay Streets and in parts of Liverpool and Goulburn Streets between the hours of 9.30pm and 2.30am. Precinct ambassadors will distribute information including late night transport options wallet cards.
2. Late night transport options wallet cards – The wallet card will contain information about late night transport options (including Nightride buses, trains and taxis). The wallet card will have Hassle Free Nights branding and include key messages about individual responsibilities under liquor legislation.
3. Precinct Dispersal Plan – The Precinct Dispersal Plan is an integrated policing, transport, security and cleansing plan to improve the transition between the night-time economy and the day-time economy in the precinct.
4. Shared communication network protocol – A shared communication network protocol will formalise the process for sharing information on problematic patrons and will enable a precinct approach to the refusal of entry to troublesome patrons. Having a consistent refusal from all venues in the area will discourage these patrons from staying in the area and will discourage them from pre-fuelling before coming to the area in future.
5. ‘No Excuse’ postcards – The ‘No Excuse’ postcard notifies patrons of their responsibilities under non-voluntary exclusion provisions of the Liquor Act 2007 by advising of the circumstances in which they may be refused entry into a licensed premises; the circumstances in which they may be asked to leave a licensed premises; and the criminal consequences of not undertaking the associated requirements.
6. Multilingual ‘No Excuse’ signage
The ‘No Excuse’ signage notifies patrons of their responsibilities under non-voluntary exclusion provisions of the Liquor Act 2007 by advising of the circumstances in which they may be refused entry into a licensed premises; the circumstances in which they may be asked to leave a licensed premises; and the criminal consequences of not undertaking the associated requirements. To address patron behaviour and improve patron knowledge of liquor laws for non-English speaking patrons, the ‘No Excuse’ poster will be translated into the key languages in the precinct: Thai, Chinese and Korean.
7. RSA on the Frontline workshops – Restaurant, bar and security staff are expected to attend RSA on the Frontline workshops to learn practical tips, strategies and useful security practices. NSW Police (City Central Local Area Command) will be invited to commit officers to assist with the workshops.
8. Precinct Safety Assessment (additional measure imposed by the Director-General) – The Precinct Safety Assessment will be a separate component of existing safety plans. The Assessment must articulate the responsibilities of the venue and actions being undertaken to contribute to the development of a safe and vibrant entertainment precinct.
9. Maintain Incident Register from 8pm – Karaoke Bars only (additional measure imposed by the Director-General) – Maintaining an incident register from 8pm each night of trade will promote better recording of incidents/harms, promote responsibility by licensees and provide a more effective management and enforcement mechanism.
Read the full version of the Sydney Central – George Street South Precinct Liquor Accord (pdf 411kb)
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