The Brisbane Water Liquor Accord has rolled out its updated hard-line policy against patron misbehaviour, announcing ‘Banned From One, Banned From All’ across around 30 central coast venues.
In a hard-hitting warning to potential offenders, the Brisbane Water Liquor Accord (BWLA) rules stipulate that anyone found committing an act of violence will be automatically banned from all participating venues for five years. It is at the venue’s discretion to make the banning period ten years.
Any person caught with drugs will be banned for a year.
And fending off any premature patrons, under-18s caught either inside or even trying to get in to one of the venues will be automatically banned for 12 months – beginning on their 18th birthday.
The scheme began seven years’ ago as ‘Barred from one, Barred from all’ and has grown from half a dozen of the larger venues, to almost every licensed premise in the Brisbane Water accord and Tuggerah Lakes.
Today there are no venues involved on the Liquor & Gaming Violent Venues scheme, where there were several at the time of its inception.
The BWLA reports there are currently around 250 names on its Banned list, largely repeat offenders, and that types of offences have guided the parameters of the policy.
Licensee of Gallagher’s Terrigal Hotel and Accord committee member, Shane Gunning, says frequent nuisance customers tend to find their way onto the list, facilitating smooth refusals of entry.
“It’s a lot easier for a publican to say ‘You’re on the list … I need to be compliant’ and point the finger somewhere else, but still enforce the rules.”
The Accord is also not required to execute the same detailed legal process as police, and bans of perpetrators are typically determined through CCTV, incident registers and statements, but Gunning suggests it catches the right fish.
“There’s no mistakes being made, but at the same time we do review any cases that come through. But it’s rare a repeat offender is taken off the list due to mistaken identity.”
Last week the BWLA unveiled the first (below) of three hard-hitting new videos to be shown at venues and on social media through November and December.
The message balances the appeal of going out with grabs of violent scenes on CCTV, depicting the kind of behaviour that would get patrons banned.
The videos will be supported by in-venue posters and drinks coasters offering the message violent, underage or drug-affected patrons will be “Banned”.
BWLA is also working with the NSW Government to promote its “Plan B” campaign against drink driving.
This comes as it was found alcohol is involved in 7.4 per cent of vehicle accidents in the region – approaching twice the state average of 4.5 per cent.
Central Coast Council is helping licensed venues to promote the campaign, supplying black T-shirts for staff, and decals. Local police will conduct proactive patrols in venues, with “motivated officers” looking to keep revellers on track.
Pubs involved include – but are not limited to: Bayview Hotel Woy Woy, Beach Bar, Beachcomber Hotel Tuggerah Lakes, Central Coast Hotel Gosford, Coast Hotel Tuggerah Lakes, Ettalong Hotel, Hotel Gosford, Terrigal Hotel, The Craft Bar, The Woodport Inn, Valley Tavern.
