Byron Bay considers ban on alcohol sales after midnight

A group that wants to ban the sale of alcohol in Byron Bay after midnight says the move would not have a negative long-term effect on tourism.

Last Drinks at 12 hosted a packed community meeting on the weekend to address the issue of alcohol-related violence in the town.

Those attending were told the rate of alcohol-fuelled assault in Byron Bay is three times the state average.

Spokesman Chris Hanley says stopping alcohol service at midnight would be a positive thing.

"The town will reinvent itself, it's very adaptable," he said.

"The venues won't go out of business, they'll come up with different models like all other businesses do for different economic circumstances.

"Instead of one type of tourist, the late-night visitor, we'll get more tourists here who are more interested in things during the day and the early part of the evening, as opposed to post 12 o'clock."

Meanwhile, a nurses' union delegate who works at the Byron Bay Hospital says the number of admissions involving people affected by alcohol has risen dramatically in recent years.

Staff at the hospital are lobbying to get an extra security guard employed.

Liz McCall says drunk patients tie up resources and put others at risk.

"Very scary for the staff," she said.

"They're worried about their own safety, they're worried about the safety of the people that have come in affected by alcohol, and they're worried for the other patients in the emergency department.

"Because when someone comes in affected by alcohol, it generally takes something in the order of three staff to look after them."

Those concerns were echoed by the chairman of the hospital's medical council.

Doctor Graham Truswell says doctors and nurses are regularly harassed by drunken patients, and need more help.

"You have to deal with the verbal confrontation of drunk, angry people who are often accompanied by a lot of (their) mates who are all jumping up and down (saying) that something has to be done right now," he said.

"They have no patience and there's a lot of distress and often swearing and abuse.

"A lot of nurses, and an increasing number of doctors, are female, and they have a very confronting time trying to deal with the anger."

But the Byron Shire Mayor, Simon Richardson, says the focus should be on improving public transport and lighting, instead of curbing drinking times.

"The people involved with the Last Drinks campaign are really wonderful, intelligent long-term residents who care very deeply about the town," he said.

"But I just think it's just that step too far.

"I mean 12 o'clock would basically make us the poster child of the nanny state."

Source: ABC News, 26 August 2013