A big part of Licensee Training is learning ways to prevent alcohol-related harm. One of the best strategies is working with your local community.
Creating a safer environment not only reduces legal and health risks but can also improve your venue’s reputation. When customers feel safe, they stay longer, visit more often, and recommend your venue to others. This builds trust, community support, and long-term success.
In Licensee Training, Licensee Training Online, and Advanced Licensee Training, you’ll learn many strategies to help prevent alcohol-related harm. In this article, we are focusing on just one: working with the community.
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Build relationships with police, council and your community
Your venue doesn’t exist in isolation — it’s part of the local area. Working with others helps solve problems and keeps your venue running smoothly. You can work with:
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Police: They can help during incidents, share safety advice, and keep you informed about local issues.
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Local Council: They can connect you with community groups, help create local initiatives, and offer business support.
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Neighbours: Keep them informed about upcoming events. Ask for feedback to build trust and a good reputation.
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Other local venues and businesses: You can share tips, staff, or resources. Joining your local liquor accord is a great way to meet others and work together.
Liquor accords
A liquor accord is a group made up of local businesses, police, council members, and community organisations who work together to reduce alcohol-related harm. This includes improving safety and reducing alcohol-related violence and antisocial behaviour. It’s a voluntary partnership based on the responsible service of alcohol. They give another way—beyond government regulations—to address alcohol issues in the community. Liquor accords help members agree on ways to improve how licensed venues operate and to create safer environments. They are one of the most effective ways for a venue to improve compliance and reduce harm. Each accord is unique to its local area and focuses on the issues most relevant to that community. Members work together to identify problems, develop strategies, and create positive change.
Accords also give members a place to share their concerns, and to work toward solutions that benefit the industry and the community
Some of the benefits of a liquor accord are:
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reduced antisocial behaviour in and around licensed premises in your community.
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reduced crime and alcohol-related violence.
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reduced underage drinking.
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reduced alcohol-related road trauma.
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increased staff awareness and practice of responsible service of alcohol.
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improving compliance with liquor laws.
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enhanced reputation as a compliant venue.
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collaborative and supportive relationships between licensees, local councils, patrons residents and police.
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increased engagement from the community in strategies planned for their benefit.
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improved standard of customers in and around licensed premises.
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access to customised materials and resources tailored to meet your requirements.
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access to the latest news, industry updates and information on regulatory changes.
Liquor accords across NSW have developed different ways to keep venues safe and responsible. Some examples include:
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Better transport options: Helping people leave venues and entertainment areas safely.
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Communication networks: Letting venues share information about incidents or problem patrons.
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Safe environments: Ensuring venues are well-staffed, secure, and comfortable.
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Reducing antisocial behaviour: Taking steps to prevent property damage and violence caused by excessive drinking.
Examples of popular strategies include:
Eastern Suburbs Liquor Accord - Enjoy@Home Campaign
Launched in 2021, this campaign encouraged patrons to drink at home instead of gathering near venues during COVID-19 restrictions. With the help of NSW Police, the accord distributed 5,000 posters and stickers to takeaway liquor outlets around Bondi Beach. The result was fewer people drinking in the streets and fewer breaches of public health orders. The campaign worked so well that Liquor & Gaming NSW promoted it across the state.
Ask for Angela Campaign
Originally from the UK, this campaign helps people in unsafe or uncomfortable situations at venues. Patrons can discreetly ask staff, “Is Angela working?” to signal they need help. Staff are trained to assist them safely and calmly. Many NSW liquor accords, police, and councils support this campaign to promote patron safety.
Multi-Venue Barring Strategies – Kings Cross Scanners and the Barring Guidelines
The ‘barred from one, barred from all’ policy is a popular liquor accord strategy. It enhances safety by reducing violent and antisocial behaviour. Kings Cross ID scanners were upgraded to allow venues in the ID scanner network to share information about banned patrons. If a person is banned from one venue, the system alerts staff at others. This helps reduce violence and antisocial behaviour across the area while protecting privacy.
No Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) Policy
In areas with a strong OMCG presence, some liquor accords work with police to ban known members from all licensed venues in that area. This helps reduce crime and improve safety. This strategy has worked well in places like Mount Druitt, Camden, Campbelltown, and Blacktown. By working with your community and joining your local liquor accord, you can make your venue safer, more respected, and more successful.
