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Alcohol Accord For Phillip Island

The Phillip Island and District Liquor Accord has once again taken action to address the ongoing problem of under age drinking.

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 24th December 2008 - Back to News

A motion passed at the Accord meeting on 18 December states, "That any underage person detected in or attempting to enter a licensed premise will be reported to the Liquor Accord who will impose a six month ban on that person after they reach the age of 18."

Council’s Community Safety Manager, Peter Laydon, said the resolution aimed to curb illegal underage drinking at licensed premises.

"This means if you get caught in or trying to get into a licensed premise, once you turn 18 you will be barred for six months from ALL licensed premises covered by the Accord," explained Mr Laydon.

"We think this sends a very strong message that this community will not tolerate underage drinking."

George Szeitli, Chairman of the Liqiour Accord, said the number of underage drinkers trying to get into licensed premises was a concern.

"Venues are certainly seeing a lot more cases of this," explained Mr Szeitli.

"There has been a spate of illegal ID’s discovered. The latest trick is someone who has turned 18 and got their licence, passing on their learners permit to others to use as ID."

The motion to address underage drinking follows on from resolutions passed in September to address excessive consumption of alcohol.

"The earlier resolutions were designed to alleviate some of the problems we have at this busy time of the year," said Mr Laydon.

"To avoid having broken glass on the streets, no alcohol will be sold in glass containers during major events, including New Year’s Eve, if alternative packaging is available."

As a condition of holding an extended licence during events and over summer, hotels in Cowes will only be able to serve drinks in plastic containers in their extended licensed areas.

Mr Szeitli reinforced the new rules applying to anyone banned from a venue within the Phillip Island and District Liquor Accord precinct.

"From now on you will automatically be banned from all licensed premises within this area," explained Mr Szeitli.

"If violent behaviour is part of the reason for the ban, the patron will be asked to undertake an approved anger management course before their ban can be reviewed.

"We are very hopeful that this will curb some of the undesirable behaviour that has occasionally been seen in some venues."

Police will also be enforcing fines if any licensed premises do not comply with the required standards and conditions of their licence.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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