TAMWORTH’S ratepayers are sick and tired of the vandalism and destruction that results from alcohol-fuelled rampages, according to councillor Warren Woodley.
However Cr Woodley told last night’s monthly Tamworth Regional Council meeting that NSW Government Liquor Law Reform legislation, which came into force on July 1, put the council in a strong position of power and control over the licensing of premises that supply and sell alcohol.
The councillors voted unanimously to support a recommendation before the meeting to request the general manager, Glen Inglis, to provide draft policy on how the council would deal with any new licensing proposals under the new laws.
“I get sick of the damage I see (when) walking down the main street,” Cr Woodley said.
“We need a policy to judge any new applications (for licenses), because the people of Tamworth are sick and tired of what is happening in their central business district.
“It’s the ratepayers’ money (that is being wasted); most of the young people who do all this vandalism don’t even pay rates,” he said.
Cr Woodley also hoped part of the new legislation would enable the council to request licensees to contribute more to cleaning up areas in the vicinity of their establishments, rather than council staff having to do so.
Cr Robert Schofield agreed with Cr Woodley, in that the new legislation offered “lots of benefits”.
However he expressed concern that restaurants could apply through the new legislation to sell alcohol with the hours of 5am through to
midnight.
“As for curbing anti-social behaviour, will it make any difference by allowing a restaurant to trade for those (extended) hours,” Cr Schofield said.
He said the process of
community impact statements (to be provided by any business seeking a liquor license) would create more work for the council. He even predicted the council might have to employ five more staff to meet the demand.
“I can see that much work coming into the TRC,” he said.
The mayor Cr James Treloar welcomed the report before the meeting and said the legislation would allow “much to be gained but there was much work to be done”.