Praise should be for “Wollongong model” not “Newcastle model”
Assault rates in and around licensed premises in Wollongong have dropped by about 38% in the last five years without the draconian measures passed in Newcastle, AHA NSW CEO Paul Nicolaou said today.
Assault figures at and near licensed premises in Wollongong are down 38% on 2008 levels – according to NSW Bureau of Crime Statistic and Research figures - due to a co-operative approach between hoteliers, police and the community.
He said the drop in assault figures was a tribute to the efforts of local hoteliers working with police and the community.
“This is a commendable result and shows what can be done when the community works together to address violence,” he said.
“The figure of 38% is more than the debateable 37% trumpeted by the proponents of the Newcastle model – and were achieved without destroying Wollongong’s night-time economy.
“Assaults in all NSW licensed premises are down an average 30% over the last five years– Wollongong has done better than average with its 38% drop.
“This reduction is actually lower than Newcastle’s over the same five year period, something the “experts” say nothing about. They would rather blame hotels and hide the true facts rather than acknowledge the good work of licensees and local liquor accords.”
“The truth is, the anti-alcohol lobby tried hard to impose Newcastle conditions here but common sense prevailed and workable solutions were put in place - including transport to and from the University and security in the Crown Street Mall.
“These and other targeted and localised solutions have obviously paid dividends.”
Mr Nicolaou is in Wollongong today – along with AHA NSW President Scott Leach and the AHA executive - meeting with local hoteliers before attending the annual Illawarra Hotels Have Hearts Charity Ball tonight.
Last year the Ball raised more than $100,000 for the children’s ward of Wollongong Hospital.
“This is obviously a very worthwhile cause and it is great to see the levels of community support for this major fundraising event – each year it gets bigger and better than ever,” Mr Nicolaou said.
Local hotelier Andrew Hannelly from the Warilla Hotel said the drop in assault levels around licensed premises right across NSW put paid to suggestions by interest groups that the “Newcastle model” was the only way to go.
“These figures show you achieve results through co-operation and targeting of offenders – not through regulations,” he said.
“It shows what can be achieved when the community voluntarily works together on the causes of violence – instead of the Newcastle model maybe we should be talking about the “Wollongong Model.”
Source: Australian Hotels Association NSW, 23 October 2013
