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Manly's Alcohol-Related Crime Initiatives
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Wednesday, 18 June 2008 |
Mr MIKE BAIRD (Manly) [7.09 p.m.]: I am proud that Manly has taken another step in its mission to lead the State in tackling alcohol-related crime. This month the pubs on The Corso in Manly have voluntarily agreed to trial a 2.30 a.m. closure in a concerted attempt to reduce antisocial behaviour and crime in the Manly central business district. This would not have been possible without the efforts of Manly's new police commander, Superintendent Dave Darcy. He has initiated and driven a bold plan, and has genuinely consulted with local licensees to achieve this result. This week Manly Council has endorsed Superintendent Darcy's plan and has committed to working with local police so that residents and tourists will start to see the benefits of the plan within months. The New South Wales Liquor and Gaming Director, Albert Gardner, the State's top liquor official, has also applauded Manly's efforts and endorsed its new plan.
The 2:30 a.m. closure is one of a number of measures introduced in Manly over the past 12 months to improve community safety and reduce antisocial behaviour fuelled by alcohol. In many of these instances Manly has led the way and is certainly relishing its leadership role. It has initiated bold changes that signify the community's genuine desire to improve the area for all to enjoy. Following a meeting I hosted with the Manly Liquor Accord last June, Manly licensees tightened the code of conduct to further clamp down on antisocial behaviour. Indeed, the licensees have jointly taken on the role. The Steyne Hotel banned Jager bombs, a high-potency drink, when hotel staff observed patrons consuming the drinks at dangerously high levels. Indeed, the hotel also banned alcopops as part of a trial to try to understand what is fuelling the violence that is associated with alcohol.
Tangible measures have also helped, including the installation of 42 CCTV cameras, Manly Council's upgrade of The Corso, Manly police's focus on policing responsible drinking, "Night Owl" rangers patrolling the Manly central business district, and improved late-night transport. These measures are making a difference. It seems that we continually hear alarming stories about alcohol-related crime across the State. However, there is evidence that Manly's proactive stance is starting to pay off. In April this year the Auditor-General found that, while alcohol-related assaults across the State had almost doubled over the past decade, in Manly they had stabilised. Indeed, Manly was among only 14 per cent of areas statewide in which alcohol-related assaults had stabilised or declined over the past two years. This does not mean we are there yet—indeed, we are a long way from being there—however, the combined efforts of Manly Council, the licensees, the community precinct and police have ensured these encouraging results.
The new Manly After Hours Venue Management Plan encompasses an agreement between the three major licensed hotels on The Corso in Manly—the Steyne Hotel, the Ivanhoe Hotel and the New Brighton Hotel—to trial a 2.30 a.m. closure. The hotel licensees are to be commended for this. As I said, the plan has been negotiated with the licensees by Superintendent Darcy. Its mission is to make Manly the safest after-hours venue in Sydney—something the local community supports and tourists would applaud. The fact that these venues generate most of their revenue between 2.30 a.m. and 3.30 a.m. demonstrates the licensees' commitment to their patrons above their bottom line. The plan sets out to achieve its mission through teamwork and collaboration with Liquor Accord members, Manly Council, the community and police to provide Manly with a dynamic, vibrant and safe after-hours precinct that everyone can enjoy.
After each of the plan's four six-month stages the plan will be reviewed and evaluated. The first stage involves reviewing police deployment and enforcement strategies, integrating police and ranger operations, improving management of taxi service availability, and ensuring that enough late-night transport is available to transport patrons home safely once the venues close. I call on the Minister for Transport to support the Manly community's efforts to improve safety for both residents and tourists, by ensuring that more buses service the demand. The mayor and I have sent a joint letter to the Minister regarding this issue.
The acting head of the State Transit Authority has confirmed that the late-night Pumpkin Bus will continue; however, it is not enough. When the venue management plan comes into effect in a few months, buses must be made available to cope with the anticipated surge between 1.30 a.m. and 3.30 a.m.; otherwise the objectives of the plan will not be realised. I understand that the transport requirements for World Youth Day in July mean that additional capacity will not be immediately available; however, I trust that it will be available after the event. I also ask the Minister to waive the debt owed by the Manly Liquor Accord for the late-night Pumpkin Bus. The Manly community and the hotel licensees have played a role in protecting this significant tourist precinct, and it is the State Government's responsibility to also play a role in that objective.
Manly's initiatives to tackle alcohol-related crime should be seen in the wider context of transforming the nation's culture of drinking. In Australia one in five 16 to 17-year-olds regularly binge drink. According to the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation, alcohol-related injuries, diseases and deaths cost the nation $15 billion each year. Unfortunately, in Manly it is seen as normal for an evening to be fuelled by alcohol. However, Manly's initiatives are starting to change that: socialising does not have to revolve around alcohol. Manly's plan will ensure more entertainment and less intoxication. I am very proud that Manly is leading the way in addressing alcohol-related crime.
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