Byron venues tackle booze blues

The Byron Bay Liquor Accord says it's making big concessions in it latest effort to curb alcohol-related violence.

The group, which represents the town's 71 liquor outlets, met this week.

It's released plans for a six-month trial which include a 1:30 a.m. lockout, and a ban on the sale of jugs, shots or wine casks bigger than two litres.

The accord's Hannah Spalding says the new measures are in some cases even stricter than Newcastle's Last Drinks campaign.

"I definitely think there's a great deal of concessions that the liquor industry has made, a lot of the terms that we've put in place are stricter than those adhered to by Newcastle and Sydney," she said.

"What I have heard from the community (is) that they would like equal or more serious measures than say Newcastle.

"The accord is really positive about the step forward and in conjunction with police and council all sticking together and taking the right action we can curb the issues in Byron Bay."

But Byron Bay youth worker Nicqui Yazdi says the new restrictions won't solve all the town's problems with anti-social behaviour.

She says they're great strategies, but only address part of the problem.

"I don't believe that the violence that happens in Byron is all about the venues," Ms Yazdi said.

"When you look at where a lot of the violence occurs, it's actually occurring on the streets.

"Byron already has an issue with what we call preloading, which is something that actually occurs in holiday houses, in their backpackers, in their own homes.

"And a lot of these people who preload never get into the venues in the first place."

The Byron Shire Mayor says the new measures are a step in the right direction.

Simon Richardson says he welcomes the initiative, but more needs to be done.

"Clearly we also have to have some support and improve our late-night transport," he said.

"So I think we need all the players to get around and try to nut out some solutions as far as that (is concerned).

"You know I think the 1:30 lockout is a really good initiative, I'm really pleased that the liquor accord is moving forward with that.

"That's been something that we've been asking for for a while."

The trial begins on the 21st of March.

Source: ABC News, 8 March 2013