Liquor accord gets rid of drunken louts

THE troublemakers have been told to get out, and drunken bad behaviour around Stanthorpe's watering holes has improved.

In late September, Stanthorpe's Liquor Industry Action Group (LIAG) passed an accord imposing blanket bans on alcohol-fuelled troublemakers, which meant a person who was asked to leave one hotel for bad behaviour would be barred from all the town's drinking establishments.

One local hotelier said since the accord was passed, the difference in weekend trouble had been noticeable, but it was important for all the town's watering holes to remain vigilant.

"The accord is working pretty well and I haven't seen the troublemakers around the hotels," the hotelier said.

"It is very imperative for all the hoteliers to work together and abide by LIAG decision.

"We will be having another meeting before the Stanthorpe races."

Stanthorpe Police officer in charge Senior Sergeant Mark Ireland said he was impressed by the way LIAG unified, and there had been no drunken incidents last weekend.

"Often these people are coming to our attention time after time on Friday and Saturday nights," he said.

"So the barring of troublemakers is certainly having an effect.

"I'm very impressed by the unity licensees have shown in this regard, and we'll certainly continue working with them."