1am lockout a “safety threat”

Hamish Heard
A 1AM lockout of nightclubs will lead to more violence in central Geelong, according to an association of venue operators.
Geelong Nightlife Association chairman Darren Holroyd said the lockout would produce “angry people” wandering the streets looking for touble.
Geelong Police Chief Inspector Wayne Carson revealed to the Independent last week that he would ask the state’s liquor licensing watchdog to outlaw venues accepting patrons after 1am.
Insp Carson said ongoing problems with alcoholfuelled violence in central Geelong had forced police command to seek the lockout.
Mr Holroyd, who owns Lamby’s bar in Moorabool Street, warned a 1am lockout would lead to more assaults.
“If we’re doing this for the reason of reducing violence on the streets of Geelong it will only accentuate the problem,” Mr Holroyd said.
“There will be a lot of angry people wandering around who can’t get into venues and they will be looking for a way to vent their anger.”
Mr Holroyd was due to meet other venue owners last night to discuss the looming ban.
“We will certainly be opposing any plans to impose a curfew,” he said.
“Our attitude is that violence statistics in Geelong are at an alltime low.”
Mr Holroyd feared a lockout would also lead to an increase in drink driving.
“Most parents would be scared that their kids are going to start driving to Melbourne at 1am because they can’t get into a venue in Geelong,” he said.
“I don’t believe there’s any merit in the lockout idea at all.”
Mr Holroyd favoured a scheme to scan patrons’ identification when entering venues to weed out known troublemakers and prevent them going out in Geelong.
But Australian Hotels Association state president and local hotelier Peter Burnett said venues had only themselves to blame after refusing to cooperate with police calls for a voluntary lockout.
Mr Burnett said venues had reported positive feedback from a trial lockout in Ballarat.
“The reason it worked well in Ballarat is the venues all cooperated and made it work, whereas in Geelong that hasn’t happened so the police have had to take the next step and make it law,” Mr Burnett said.