Businesses and authorities have recommitted to ensuring everybody in the community can enjoy a safe night out in Ballarat, as Victorians continue to adjust to the new COVID normal.
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On Wednesday representatives from predominantly licensed venues located in the central business district, Victoria Police, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCBLR) and The City of Ballarat gathered to discuss the responsibilities of balancing business with community safety.
"Everyone has gone through a hard time during the last 12 months so the licensees and businesses in town understand the balance between achieving profit through their business model but also making sure the community is safe at the same time," Ballarat Police Inspector, Dan Davison, said.
To do so, numerous businesses all recommitted to the 2017-2022 Ballarat Liquor Accord.
As nightlife continues to return to Ballarat, Inspector Davison said police were seeing an increase in alcohol-fuelled offending. This includes assaults and harassment, predominantly in the CBD.
"We know people preload and that is a big problem for the community because people come out when already under the effects of alcohol and then try to get into a venue or cause trouble in town," Inspector Davison said.
"It's a combination of that and people just not used to being around other people."
This makes the recommitment to the accord - drawn up by licensees and supported by authorities as a method to promote responsible service of alcohol while taking a stance against antisocial behaviour - even more important.
Inspector Davison said police supported the accord as it was a proactive way for the community to work together to implement solutions to prevent alcohol-fuelled harm in a city with "vibrant nightlife".
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"It's not just a Victoria Police issue. The issues in Ballarat can be best solved by everyone sitting at the table, coming together and working towards community safety.
"By working together we know that we can reduce community harm because we set the standard for what late night behaviour we will and will not accept and that stems to community safety on our streets.
One strength of the accord and deterrent for poor behaviour is the ability for members to ban individuals who exhibit poor behaviour across all the venues signed up to the accord.
"We hope that people who do go out to do the wrong thing realise they won't be able to come out and join the Ballarat nightlife for a period of time and that will make them think twice before they do the wrong thing.
Ballarat has a really vibrant nightlife and we want people to enjoy all their regional city has to offer
- Dan Davison
Inspector Davison said the success of the accord was "only as good as the commitment of each individual".
"So far we've really been rapt in the level of participation from licensees in town to get on board and to set the standard of what they will and won't accept.
"The community can rest assured the best liquor licensing practices are in place so people can go out, have a good time and enjoy Ballarat and get home safely."
Owner of Hop Temple, Brian Taylor, said licensed venues were working together to make Ballarat an enjoyable place as well as "a leader in the region as being a safe place".
"We want people to enjoy their time in Ballarat, that is a food and drinks scene. We are really up and coming with the tourism market so we want to promote that and are happy to be part of this.
"We want that and the only way to do that is by being proactive and communicating about what is expected from the customer and what is expected from each licensee in setting and delivering standards."
He said this was done by ensuring people consumed alcohol safely - so not promoting binge drinking - and promoting good social behaviour.
"It's about all our staff being aware of how people act and what they're doing and the environment you set for people. If you create the right environment and set standards then people will behave to those standards.
"We need to set them high and reinforce that as a collective - authorities and licensees are delivering it as one.
"The commitment from everyone within the group is to have everyone as one of the leaders as a safe city. That will happen and we are forging ahead with that."
