THE Liquor Law Reforms passed by the NSW Government earlier this month give local governments like the Tamworth Regional Council unprecedented power in its decision making process when it comes to deciding how alcohol could be traded within communities.

Cr Warren Woodley’s frustration at the ongoing and needless vandalism that occurs in the Peel St central business district as well as other parts of the city, is shared by all councillors and a vast majority of ratepayers.

Too often this council has to reach into its reserves to repair or replace public property that has been damaged by some nitwit tanked with grog.

It is also a mite too easy to say that tighter restrictions on the service of alcohol will make some difference.

What must change is the public attitude to how people react after a night or even a few hours drinking.

Certainly shutting down liquor outlets earlier in the evening might play a role but one imagines the return of six o’clock closing would not make any difference. The six o’clock swill was a phrase long linked with what is now recognised as binge drinking. No government or community wants to see a return to those days.

There is an argument that calls for heavier penalties imposed on those who would commit acts of vandalism while intoxicated.

Being drunk is no argument for breaking public seating, smashing shop windows or throwing bottles at cars.

It is a matter of getting a message to those who enjoy a drink or three: by all means enjoy yourselves, but do not take your frustrations out on the property of others.

Once that message sinks in then surely there should be better outcomes for the community as a whole, rather than this endless cycle of petty

behaviour.

Ignorance is not a defence in a court of law, nor should drunkenness be an allowable defence either.