ROSEBUD Police Station Commander Steve Wood is urging revellers to be aware of restrictions on New Year’s Eve festivities.
“To ensure the safety of everyone celebrating New Year’s Eve on the Mornington Peninsula there will be no public entertainment, no public fireworks [at Rye] and bans on alcohol in all public places,” he said.
“Entry to most hotels will be by pre-purchased ticketed events only and the Rye carnival will not be operating.”
Gambling and liquor regulators will be working with police to make sure hotels and other licensed premises do not sell liquor to minors and drunks or allow their venues to be overcrowded.
“In the lead-up to New Year’s, [they] will be out and about conducting pre-checks and reminding licensees of their obligations, particularly when it comes to packaged liquor venues and selling to minors,” Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation compliance director Stephen Berriman said.
Commander Wood said Mornington Peninsula Shire laws banning alcohol in public places will apply from 30 December to midnight on 1 January 2017.
“The possession of sealed and unsealed containers of liquor in public places as well as vehicles in public places is prohibited, unless sealed containers are being transported from point-of-sale to vehicle or private residence for consumption,” he said.
Commander Wood said glass containers were also prohibited and that police would take “a zero-tolerance approach to ensure families enjoy a safe New Year’s Eve and one that is not disrupted by poor behaviour”.
Acting Inspector Brett Coloe, of Rosebud Police, said: “We recognise that Christmas is a difficult time for some people and we encourage them to reach out to professionals and work their way through the challenges.
“For those celebrating the festive period and end of year with family and friends – enjoy the moments. As always, we need you to take extra caution on the roads, carefully monitor your own drinking and those around you.”
Mr Berriman, the VCGLR’s compliance director, said inspectors would be on the look-out to ensure licensed premises are meeting their licence conditions and serving alcohol responsibly.
Licensees are obliged to serve alcohol responsibly; ensure free water is available; check patron identification and maintain amenity control and crowd management.
“Significant penalties apply for licensees who are found non-compliant,” Mr Berriman said.
“Our compliance inspectors will be out conducting inspections in the lead up to, and on the night, ensuring licensees are sticking to their licence obligations and managing their events so that everyone enjoys a safe and responsible New Year’s Eve.
“Licensees are also encouraged to go beyond their legal requirements and make a voluntary commitment to introduce safety measures to minimise harm this New Year’s Eve.”
A list of suggested safety measures is at vcglr.vic.gov.au
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 20 December 2016
