Introduction
The Hinchinbrook Combined Liquor Accord has been established as a joint initiative between police, licensees, Liquor Licensing, local government and other relevant agencies.
The Accord or Code of Practice was developed to adopt a range of positive, effective and community based harm minimisation strategies aimed at reducing crime and violence involving intoxicated people in and around the Hinchinbrook Shire.
The Accord aims to meet the best practice and to ensure that current liquor licensing requirements are being met by licensees in the Hinchinbrook area. It will continue to evolve in order to meet the needs and expectations of the community who have the right to enjoy our nightlife free of anti-social behaviour.
The Accord and all those involved want the Hinchinbrook area to have a vibrant, diverse and innovative nightlife and support the right of licensees to free enterprise and open competition, however, these rights must be balanced so as to counter any negative impact of excessive alcohol consumption that can lead to anti-social behaviour.
How it works
The Hinchinbrook Combined Liquor Accord is a voluntary commitment. To gain acceptance as a member, the licensee must demonstrate adherence to all the criteria detailed in the Accord. Membership is open to any licensee of licensed premises in the Hinchinbrook area and members will meet a minimum of 6 times per year to work together to reduce alcohol-related crime and improve the perception of safety and appeal of the area, thus making the Hinchinbrook area a safer place for the whole community.
Steering Committee
The Hinchinbrook Combined Liquor Accord has membership comprising:
Queensland Police Service
Liquor Licensing Division
Local Licensed Premises
Hinchinbrook Shire Council
The Hinchinbrook Combined Liquor Accord is overseen by an enforcement committee comprising:
Representatives from Queensland Police Service
Representatives from local Licensed Premises
Representative from the Hinchinbrook Shire Council
The Enforcement Committee:
Monitors and evaluates the progress of the Accord
deals with any major breaches of the Accord.
Mission Statement
The aim of this Accord is to assist in promoting responsible sale, service and consumption of liquor in the Hinchinbrook Shire and to provide a safe environment for all patrons to enjoy themselves.
The licensees agree to cooperate and implement standards of behaviour, control and reaction to enhance the behaviour in venues which will in turn benefit the venues, authorities and the general community.
Objectives
Introduce and encourage behavioural / attitude changes in patrons
Reduce levels of anti-social behaviour in the Hinchinbrook Shire
Reduce levels of underage drinking in the Hinchinbrook Shire
Increase communication between all stakeholders including Licensees, Police, Council, and relevant key stakeholders.
Strategies
The participating licensees of the Hinchinbrook Shire have agreed to cooperate, communicate and implement the following standards with respect to their licensed venues;
Improve Safety and Security
Conduct regular risk assessment of premises and environs.
Monitor ways to improve public safety.
Behavioural Standards
Management will support staff in the enforcement of refusal of service to intoxicated patrons.
Staff will be appropriately trained in the requirements of the Responsible Service of Alcohol.
Standardised patron behaviour awareness will be promoted via local media outlets.
A Licensee Incident Report / Immediate Suspension Notice will be issued to a patron immediately suspending any expressed or implied license allowing the patron to enter or remain upon licensed premises in the Hinchinbrook.
A Termination of License notice will be issued to a patron that is banned from licensed premises for a nominated period of time. This notice will revoke any expressed or implied license allowing the patron to enter or remain upon licensed premises in the Hinchinbrook.
Drugs on Premises
Any person suspected of taking, selling or supplying illicit drugs within or around a venue will be excluded. Such actions will be reported to Police and to each venue.
Noise
Licensees will work with security and the Police to ensure that patrons do not loiter around venues after closing time.
Underage
ID’s must be produced upon request. Otherwise, “No ID, No ENTRY”, or in relation to takeaway liquor, “No ID, No SERVICE”.
Licensees will work with Police to identify known underage patrons.
Maintain Records of Incidents and good communication
Maintain a register of all safety incidents noting the time, date and nature of the incident in and around the premises and the response by staff and management.
Maintain current list of emergency phone numbers and post close to all key phones.
Establish and maintain good communication with Liquor Accord members in the Hinchinbrook.
Regular Meetings
This Accord is a live, working document. The licensees agree to meet regularly with Police, Liquor Licensing Division, and other key stakeholders where appropriate, to ensure the terms of the Accord are being complied with, and review and update the Accord as is necessary.
Actively Monitor and promote the Accord
Provide an ongoing commitment to the Hinchinbrook Combined Liquor Accord.
Ancillary Documents
To be displayed in each venue:
Patron Code of Conduct
Promotional material distributed by State Government (optional)
Promotional material distributed by Australian Government (optional)
To be issued to patrons when necessary:
Type 1 Ban Notice – Single Venue
Type 2 Ban Notice – All Accord Venues
Hinchinbrook Liquor Accord
Ph: 07 4776 1577 Fax: 07 4776 1503