OLGR plans audits as Liquor Accord votes to amend its constitution
The Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing has announced it plans to conduct a compliance audit in Tamworth.
The Office has released a statement saying it works with Liquor Accords, including Tamworth, to address local alcohol-related issues.
In the statement, it says the Office is coming to Tamworth in December to conduct the audit.
The review will check existing practices and procedures, identify compliance issues that need regulatory attention, and focus on responsible service of alcohol.
The statement goes on to say the audit will serve as pre-engagement for the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
The Office says the aim of the audit is to ensure well-operated venues are not automatically penalised because of problems associated with other licensees who ignore their obligations under the liquor laws.
The audit is one of a number of measures aimed at curbing alcohol-fuelled violence in the regional city.
On Thursday, separate meetings were held involving publicans, police, the liquor industry and state and federal government to encourage responsible service and consumption of alcohol.
The day began at West Diggers in Kable Avenue with a two-hour meeting of the 68 financial members of the Tamworth and District Liquor Accord.
The full executive came together to vote on a raft of measures aimed at reducing bad drinking behaviour and crime associated with that behaviour.
Those measures include lock-outs, a multi-barring policy, and the possibility of using ID scanners.
At lunchtime, a second meeting was convened by the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing with Tamworth Regional Council and local police.
Acting Superintendent of Oxley Local Area Command, Inspector Jeff Budd, says his officers have done a lot of work to get to the point where alcohol-fuelled violence in the Tamworth community is being taken seriously.
He says getting the support of other agencies is critical in managing binge-drinking, keeping patrons safe and making sure his officers face less assaults.
"A great proportion of our work in the later hours of the night are all alcohol-related, from domestics to assaults to robberies to all sorts of issues," he says.
"The Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing are here to set the standard and we would hope that OLGR would be able to provide us with assistance and guidance so we can get this whole proposal underway."
Source: ABC News, 30 November 2013
