An initiative to curtail alcohol-fuelled violence across Wagga has made the city safer, according to publicans.
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More than 170 pub-goers are currently banned from licensed premises across the city and have been black-listed from entering pubs and clubs from three-month to forever.
According to Wagga police, with a more than 70 patrons have been barred for life.
It comes eight-years after the city’s hoteliers and publicans banded together to launch the Wagga Liquor Accord.
But Wagga’s venues took the initiative one step further, adding a “banned from one, banned from all” policy to the standard alcohol-strength and lock-out restrictions, which were adopted across the state.
As a result of the unique move, any patrons engaging in illegal or unsavoury behaviour, are referred to the Joint Barred Committee, which then decides whether a patron should be listed as unwelcome.
This includes underage teens, attempting to sneak into venues, who receive bans from their 18th birthday until they turn 19.
Barred residents receive a visit from local police and are served with a barring notice and a fine. Their name is added to a list that is shared across most businesses that serve alcohol in Wagga.
The secretary of the Wagga Liquor Accord David Barnhill, also the owner of the William Farrer Hotel, said the city was ahead of the game in preventing alcohol-related violence in and around licensed premises.
“It has certainly been a step in the right direction,” Mr Barnhill said. “The town is a better place.”
The Accord’s chairman, Sean O’Hara said antisocial behaviour had dramatically reduced since it was implemented.
“I’d comfortably say there’s been at least a 30 per cent reduction,” Mr O’Hara said. “The population is growing but bad behaviour has reduced.”
He said other areas, including Maitland, Bathurst, Parkes, were implementing the joint barred system too, following its success in Wagga.