CLOSING times to council-owned venues in Balranald will not change, despite calls from local police to impose a 12am closure on private functions.
There is currently no specific closing time on venues owned by Balranald Shire Council — Greenham Park Hall and Theatre Royal — that can be hired for private functions.
Recently, Balranald police raised concerns with alcohol-fuelled incidents at these venues in the early hours of the morning, with a plea going to councillors to regulate the shut-down of these events before the peak times these incidents usually take place.
After the issue was first raised with council in August last year, it has been debated at five meetings of council and council committees since, with local police officers making presentations to councillors.
Sergeant Narelle Tucker told councillors in September last year, the fights police encountered were usually a result of intoxication and, as police could not patrol the venues constantly, relied upon people at the events reporting incidents to police.
“If we don’t know what has happened at the time, we can’t do anything,” she said.
She added safety of guests would be better ensured with a set closing time.
But councillors disagreed, arguing some events did not start until later in the evening and a mandatory closing time could prevent hire of the hall in these instances.
Councillor Steve O’Halloran said many guests at events behaved themselves.
The issue has since been settled, with councillors voting last month to “maintain the status-quo”.
Acting general manager Elizabeth White said councillors were comfortable with the decision not to implement a closing time.
“I think councillors felt it has worked well in the past and there has not been too many issues,” Ms White said.
“I think it is about people being responsible for their own parties and not getting over the limit.”
For more on this story pick up a copy of Wednesday’s Guardian (May 6).
