A NEW advisory board made up of police, health representatives and councillors could be established to look at applications for new liquor licences, if the local Crime Prevention Committee has its way.
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The committee moved to get the ball rolling at yesterday’s meeting, with the proposal for a Licence Review Board to go to Tamworth Regional Council for consideration now.
Acting mayor Russell Webb said council already reviews development application for liquor licences, but this proposal would allow stakeholders to voice their concerns.
“It’s not a stumbling block for people putting their hand up to get a licence, it’s just another review step for the local community,” Cr Webb said.
The proposal was suggested following a delegation of councillors and Oxley police visiting Newcastle to look at strategies to reduce alcohol-related crime in the community.
Oxley crime manager Inspector Phil O’Reilly said the meeting was positive and productive.
“There needs to be a uniform approach to the approvals to ensure they meet all the desired outcomes of the community,” Inspector O’Reilly said.
“It’s important for each of us to get together to discuss issues within the council area.”
It was one of a few agenda items for the committee. Also on the table were the latest crime figures for the Tamworth Regional Council area – and it was good news, according to local police.
“There appears to be reductions in a number of crime areas in comparison to last year,” Inspector O’Reilly said.
“Those figures were tabled at the meeting.”
Graffiti management, information about domestic violence, funding for the taxi system and CCTV were also up for discussion at the closed meeting.
Cr Webb told the meeting council had put forward a new application to garner more funding for CCTV in the city.
“We’ve made an application for a grant for $198,000 for more CCTV cameras as part of a federal funding round,” he said,
“So we’ll wait to hear about that but we’re hoping we’ll be successful to rollout and expand the security cameras.”
It was one of two meetings for the local liquor accord, council and police.
Representatives from Tamworth police, as well as Cr Webb, addressed the Tamworth Liquor Accord meeting to look at possible earlier closing times for venues.
Liquor accord project officer John Begley said the accord members had the chance to hear what the delegation had learned from the Newcastle trip.
“Council basically put forward their ideas on earlier closing times of venues and why they had those ideas,” Mr Begley said.
“Police also put their point across and the accord listened to what they had to say.
“Council and police are continuing their investigations into the idea but there is nothing concrete to come out yet.”
