A NEW look Hastings Liquor Accord is taking a fresh approach to stamping out alcohol related violence in the area.
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Licensee of the Port Macquarie Hotel and publicity officer for the liquor accord, Philip McGrath, said a new committee will take a pro-active approach.
"There's not a massive issue with alcohol related violence in the area but we want to stay on top of it," he said.
"We want to be more in your face in terms of spreading the word of safe drinking and safe partying.
"We understand our role in the community we want to provide entertainment but want to nip any problems in the bud that might arise and we want to ensure people feel safe."
Some of the changes the committee will look to make is to open up communication lines between venues.
This means a push towards an agreement of multi-venue banning.
"It hasn't been taken up yet but it's an idea that's being talked about at the moment," Mr McGrath said.
"Something else we want to push is using radio communication between venues of a night to stop offenders getting in to other places.
"It's something we want to be much more proactive in."
The new look accord so far has the tick of approval from Port Macquarie Police's licensing sergeant John Laurie.
"We fully support some of these actions the accord are looking at," he said.
"We want to continue to work to change the culture of the late night trade and make it safer for everyone."
Sgt Laurie said the Port Macquarie was currently in a downward trend in relation to alcohol related violence but warned it can change quickly.
"We're enjoying a reduction in alcohol related assaults at the moment and that's something we want to consolidate on with high proactivity," he said. "But at the same time we're aware that can change in the blink of an eye."