Pubs and clubs across the mid-north coast are strengthening their defences against anti-social behaviour, with a new district-wide barring policy making it harder for problem patrons to move between venues after being kicked out.
The Hastings, Macleay and Nambucca Liquor Accords have joined forces to extend multi-venue barrings across the entire Mid North Coast Police District, giving participating licensees a united approach to managing repeat offenders and protecting staff, patrons and local communities.
Hastings Liquor Accord chair Alistair Flower said the expanded arrangement gives venues greater support when dealing with patrons who cross the line, while helping maintain safe and welcoming environments for everyone else.
The partnership closes a long-standing gap that allowed troublemakers to leave one town and continue their behaviour at another venue nearby.
“Under the expanded approach, a barring issued in Port Macquarie, Kempsey or Nambucca can apply across participating venues throughout the district,” says Flower.
“The natural next step was to align with the police district.”
Mid North Coast Police District Commander Superintendent Shane Cribb has backed the initiative, reinforcing the importance of keeping licensed venues and surrounding entertainment precincts safe. Police will actively support enforcement, with violent, disorderly and intimidating behaviour firmly on the radar.
Port Macquarie MP Rob Dwyer, a former licensee with 25 years of industry experience, has also welcomed the collaboration, pointing to the NSW Liquor Accord program as a practical way for local operators to tackle shared challenges.
Oxley MP Michael Kemp has similarly backed the move, highlighting the important role pubs and clubs play in regional communities and the need to protect the people who work in and visit them.
Under the expanded policy, barrings can range from a minimum of three months to as long as ten years in serious cases. The grounds include violence, threats, aggression, disorderly or anti-social conduct, property damage, repeated disturbances, ongoing intoxication across multiple venues, refusing to leave when directed by staff or security, drug-related offences and fake identification offences.
There are also consequences for underage offenders. Minors caught attempting to enter licensed venues using false identification, purchasing alcohol or stealing from retail bottleshops can face a 12-month barring period that commences on their 18th birthday.
The penalties extend beyond being locked out of a night on the town(s). Anyone who enters or attempts to enter a licensed venue while subject to a barring order commits an offence under the Liquor Act 2007. That can result in an on-the-spot fine of $550 or court-imposed penalties of up to $5,500.
For clubs and pubs across the region, the expanded network strengthens cooperation between venues, gives staff greater support and helps ensure troublemakers are held accountable wherever they go across the district.
It has Port Macquarie and the mid north coast accords leading the state with this type of campaign and proactivity in reducing anti-social behaviour, increasing safety for both patrons and staff.
“Seeing licensees actively collaborating and working together, we have had a significant reduction in problem behaviour since the system has been implemented, as accountability is put back on patrons,” concludes Flower.
