By Andrew Starke
Queensland Deputy Premier and Attorney-General, Paul Lucas, has announced that almost $107,000 will be made available to 32 liquor accord groups across the State.
The individual grants, which range from $698 to $5,000, will go to liquor accords in the Wide Bay Burnett region, Emerald, Darling Downs, Tully, Gladstone, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
Seven liquor accords on the Sunshine Coast will receive a total of $19,000 from the Bligh Government with three accord groups in the Darling Down regions getting over $10,000 and over $8,000 in grants for three more in Wide Bay Burnett.
Lucas said liquor accords – groups formed voluntarily by licensees, local business, government representatives and concerned citizens – had enjoyed some success in minimising harm and alcohol-related violence in and around licensed premises through local initiatives.
“The Queensland Government has provided almost $107,000 to 32 liquor accord groups across Queensland through this one-off grants program,” he said.
“These grass-roots projects will make a real difference to local communities throughout the State.
”Across Queensland, the money will be used by liquor accord groups for a range of different projects- including helping fund localised awareness campaigns against violence, and training programs for volunteers, students and security guards.”
In providing the funds, Government hopes to ease the financial burden placed on voluntary liquor accords.
Lucas said the 90-strong fleet of liquor accords was a silent asset in venue safety and their work was invaluable to all Queenslanders.
“The Queensland Government has known for some time the power of local insight, and proudly works alongside liquor accord groups to minimise liquor-related harm,” he said.
“Since their inception, liquor accord groups have pioneered a number of harm minimisation initiatives out of their own pockets, such as patron banning schemes and designated driver programs.
“Liquor accord groups spend countless hours of their own time and money actioning local initiatives to combat alcohol-related harm in and around licensed premises.”
The Broadbeach Licensed Venues Association and the Hervey Bay Liquor Accord were the biggest individual winners with each receiving a $5,000 grant, while the Goondiwindi Liquor Accord will get $4815.
For more information on Queensland’s Liquor Accords, click here.