By Rob O’Brien
A new tool kit to help councils deal with alcohol-related community problems will be launched in Sydney tomorrow.
The Alcohol-related Harms Data Inventory Toolkit will be launched by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP at a meeting of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors.
The toolkit includes a core set of indicators that focus directly on the contribution that local governments can make, and includes a new way of measuring the diversity of businesses in the night-time economy.
“This toolkit is the first of its kind in Australia, focused directly on the contribution that local governments can make to reducing the negative impacts of alcohol on local communities,” said ICLEI Oceania CEO, Steve Gawler.
“Day in and day out we are seeing the impacts alcohol is having on the streets of our cities and towns across Australia. The human cost is tragic, the financial costs alarming and the clean-up costs are downright disgusting,” Mr Gawler said.
Twenty-five local governments have joined the Cities for Safe and Healthy Communities program to plan effective action, set controls on the number of liquor licences, and have a greater say in how outlets are managed.
“Creating safe, healthy and vibrant local areas with a strong night-time economy is an important plank in sustainable development for cities, regional centres and towns across Australia,” said Mr Gawler.
Mark Boyd, Director of the Cities for Safe and Healthy Communities program and author of the toolkit, said the resource would provide local governments with a stronger say when working to reduce the impacts of alcohol on local communities.
“In recent weeks, the recommendations of local governments in Victoria and NSW have been overlooked when they have tried to better manage the location, size and operating hours of alcohol outlets.
“This toolkit will provide our participating councils with greater confidence in using data from police, health and other sources to proactively manage antisocial behaviour and alcohol-related violence – both on the street and in the home,” said Mr Boyd.
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