The Liberal-National Government will reclaim Northbridge for the enjoyment of all Western Australians through strengthened policing, reduced trading hours of nightclubs and improved amenity and safety for patrons, starting November 1.
Premier Colin Barnett said the State Government's approach, with the support from local businesses, was a holistic plan to improve community safety and add vibrancy to Perth.
"This Government is serious about tackling antisocial behaviour and making Northbridge a safe, enjoyable place to visit at any time of the day or night," Mr Barnett said.
"A key part of the initiatives I am announcing tonight is lock-outs and reduced closing times. If patrons leave a nightclub after 3.30am, they will not be allowed re-entry. The nightclub will then close at 5am, instead of 6am.
"The two venues with a Special Facility Licence - The Elephant and the Wheelbarrow and The Mustang Bar - will operate lockouts at 2am with a closing time of 3am.
"All other venues will keep their current closing time of either 12am or 2am.
"These measures will be introduced on a voluntary basis initially and I am pleased to say that most nightclubs have come on board.
"I have been impressed with the way nightclub and business owners have worked with the Government to develop these measures. However, if further changes are needed the Government will introduce legislation and regulation that will provide the necessary authority to enforce the changes.
"These are positive steps forward to reclaiming Northbridge as an area of vitality and entertainment for families and young people looking to enjoy our city.
"Antisocial behaviour and violence is not unique to Northbridge however as the major hospitality and entertainment area of Perth, with more than 50,000 people visiting the area each week, the reality is that problems are occurring."
The peak period for presentations to Royal Perth Hospital's Emergency Department, which are directly affected by Northbridge issues, is between midnight to early morning Friday and Saturday.
Emergency department doctors estimate that between one-third to one-half of all presentations are alcohol-related - at an average cost of about $540 per admission.
There were more than 5,000 emergency department attendances in April 2009.
"I continue to appeal to people to look at their behaviour and the way they conduct themselves in public. My message to people is - change your behaviour or accept the consequences," the Premier said.
"The kind of Northbridge I want to see is the one where young people can have a great time, have a few drinks, be safe and enjoy it."
The package of initiatives includes:
Strengthened Policing
· Increasing the visibility of police - including the use of drug dogs, police teams, booze buses and horses
· Amending the Liquor Control Act 1988 to provide a streamlined process to allow police and licensees to ban troublemakers
· Using Prohibited Behaviour Orders to restrict persons from Northbridge entirely
· Declaring Northbridge a designated public area to enable police officers fight antisocial behaviour and drug offences with the new authority to stop and search people
Better regulation
· Increased and targeted liquor licensing inspections and enforcement of responsible service breaches of the Liquor Control Act
· A reduction in nightclub trading hours - lockouts would apply at 3.30am with a closing time of 5am instead of 6am
· Venues with a Special Facility Licence (The Elephant and the Wheelbarrow and The Mustang Bar) will operate a lockout at 2am with a closing time of 3am
· Launch an education campaign to increase the awareness of the responsible serving of alcohol
Increased Security
· Develop and implement standards for ID Scanners at entertainment venues to supplement CCTV requirements
· Investigate and implement options to improve security at Perth train station
Improved amenity
· Expanding the Milligan Street taxi rank including extra lighting, CCTV, queue barrier and traffic management to ensure Northbridge patrons get home quickly and safely
· Last train departure pushed back to 2.15am and made free of charge
· Revitalising the Cultural Centre area. The changes will include improved landscaping and lighting, an urban orchard, colourful signage, free wireless internet access and improved security
· Providing a number of alternative entertainment options including street buskers, dance, arts and cafes
· Redeveloping the eastern side of William Street
Working with the community
· Providing alternative activities for children on Friday and Saturday nights including night basketball competitions in Midland and Armadale
· Maintaining the curfew in Northbridge - after sunset all children under 12 must be accompanied by a sober, responsible guardian. After 10pm all young people aged 13-15 years are under the same provisions. These groups must not be in Northbridge after the specified times
· Continuing to support services provided by the Noongar Patrol, Nillara Youth Services and Mission Australia
Some of these measures, including the lockouts and closing times, will begin on November 1 with the other initiatives progressively rolled out during summer 2009-10.
Mr Barnett said the Government was also interested in street closures on busy nights and would continue discussions on this measure.
The Liberal-National Government is already:
· introducing tough new restrictions on the sale and supply of controlled weapons to minors
· reconnecting the city centre with Northbridge for the first time in 100 years by sinking the railway - bringing improved public safety, access and connectivity, increased residential, retail and commercial opportunities and high quality public space
· encouraging small bar licences in Northbridge and Perth to get away from the 'barn' style pubs.
The package has been developed with the support of the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor, Department of Sport and Recreation, Department of Child Protection, the Public Transport Authority, Department of Culture and Arts, WAPOL, Department of Health (Drug and Alcohol Office), Department of Indigenous Affairs and EPRA.
The Department of the Premier and Cabinet has also been in consultation with Business Improvement Group of Northbridge (Big N Inc.), AHA and the City of Perth to co-operatively develop strategies in addressing antisocial behaviour in Northbridge and that process will continue.
The Premier acknowledged the work by the City of Perth on the 'Piazza' and looked forward to its completion.
Premier's office - 9222 9475
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