LOCKOUT LAWS BACKFLIP ID SCANS WELCOME

TOWNSVILLE’S Flinders St East traders say the State Government’s backflip on imposing a 1am lockout at nightclub precincts was the right decision, with anecdotal evidence pointing to a drop in unruly behaviour along the city’s nightclub strip.

Safe Night CBD Precinct Townsville president Jodie Bell, of NQ Hospitality, said traders had been working closely with authorities and had noticed a reduction in unruly behaviour along the nightclub precinct.

In January, State Cabinet voted to scrap the 1am lockout and instead made ID scanning mandatory in nightclub precincts from July 1.

“I think the reduction in bad behaviour along Flinders St East is proof the State Gov- ernment made the right decision to squash the proposed 1am lockout for nightclub precincts,” she said.

“Not only have we noticed a drop in bad behaviour along the strip but we’ve noticed a cultural shift in that the general public is not going to tolerate bad behaviour.”

Townsville Acting Superintendent Roger Whyte said police were compiling a review on behaviour along Flinders St East “as we speak”.

“Anecdotally, it appears as though unruly behaviour has reduced, however, we are undertaking due diligence with respect to statistics to confirm that,” he said. “I expect that process to be completed in the next fortnight.”

Ms Bell said selected traders along Flinders St East were well prepared for the mandatory introduction of ID scanners.

A spokeswoman for Attorney- General Yvette D’Ath said ID scanners would ensure a person with a banning order could not enter a licensed venue.

“ID scanners are only compulsory for venues that traded after midnight,” the spokeswoman said. “ID scanners are designed to keep patrons safe and ensure they can have a fun night.”

Ms Bell said late- night Flinders St East traders would install the ID scanner in a few weeks.

“We are all getting them installed in May to give us some transition time before July 1, for our staff and for the public to adjust to the new rules,” she said. “The positive is that the data is shared across Queensland. We are able to determine who is banned and why. If someone from Rocky is banned that shows up and details of why.”

Ms Bell said traders would start an education campaign within weeks to educate the community about the ID scanners.