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Liquor accords
Join a liquor accord
Help minimise alcohol and gambling-related harm, receive updates, discuss important issues, and connect with other licensees and government agencies.
Use the interactive map to find information about liquor accords near you.
Licensees must minimise harm (and the potential for harm) from alcohol abuse and misuse and associated violence under the Liquor Act 1992. One of the ways licensees can help minimise harm is by joining and actively participating in a liquor accord.
The purpose of a liquor accord is to promote responsible practices in the sale and supply of alcohol and collectively develop strategies to address issues facing the liquor industry and local community. Strategies aim to promote positive changes, which benefit each individual member's business and the community.
Key reasons for starting a liquor accord in your community may include:
- antisocial behaviour
- misuse of alcohol
- alcohol-related violence and crime.
Liquor accords can also play an important role in promoting safe gambling and reducing gambling-related harm.
This guide will help you understand liquor accords and learn how becoming a member can benefit your business and the local community.
Benefits of liquor accords
Join a liquor accord
Help minimise alcohol and gambling-related harm, receive updates, discuss important issues, and connect with other licensees and government agencies.
Use the interactive map to find information about liquor accords near you.
Liquor accords provide a forum for members and stakeholders to proactively discuss their views, concerns and expectations, while working towards preventing liquor-related issues affecting local businesses and the community.
The benefits of having a liquor accord in your area include:
- minimising alcohol and drug-related violence, antisocial behaviour and crime in and around licensed premises
- preventing under-age drinking
- increasing awareness and practices related to responsible service of alcohol and gambling
- improving understanding amongst licensees, approved managers, and staff of their legal obligations
- enhancing community understanding of the role of government agencies and availability of government resources
- creating safe and enjoyable environments for the benefit of local businesses and the community.
Legal protection for liquor accords using price or supply controls
Licensees who collectively implement price or supply controls on alcoholic drinks may risk reducing competition under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (CCA).
However, exemptions from the competition provisions within the CCA may be available for liquor accords (and safe night precinct boards) in certain circumstances. This means, liquor accords may adopt price or supply controls where relevant alcohol-related problems have been identified in their communities and the controls are registered by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation.
Also consider...
- Discover strategies liquor accords use to address local issues.
- Read newsletter articles about how liquor accords are
- Download and display liquor accord signage.
- Keep up to date with changes and happenings in your industry by subscribing to the 'Inside Liquor and Gaming' newsletter.
How to start a liquor accord
Join a liquor accord
Help minimise alcohol and gambling-related harm, receive updates, discuss important issues, and connect with other licensees and government agencies.
Use the interactive map to find information about liquor accords near you.
The motivation to form a liquor accord should start locally within the liquor industry, with relevant stakeholder agencies such as the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) offering advice and assistance.
Step 1: Define your accord area
Accord areas are often defined by geographical boundaries, such as local government areas, police divisions or district boundaries, or a unique entertainment or community precinct.
Consideration should be given to the location and proximity of other accords. Licensees in nearby areas without accords may benefit from attending your meetings in person or remotely.
For city-based accords, consider listing the postcodes or suburbs included in your liquor accord's area.
View an interactive map of liquor accords for help defining your area, or contact your local OLGR office.
Step 2: Involve the right people
Enlisting the right people and maintaining their support is vital to the success of your liquor accord. Membership of most accords is made up of liquor licensees, with government stakeholders playing a supporting role. However, some accords may include representatives from community and welfare groups, local and state government, or other businesses affected by issues in your local area.
Examples include:
- liquor and gaming licensees
- hotels
- community clubs
- bars
- restaurants
- nightclubs
- brewers
- other licensed premises
- community and welfare groups
- gambling help services
- support service providers (e.g. rest and recovery services for intoxicated patrons)
- state and local government
- OLGR
- QPS
- Queensland Health
- Queensland Fire Department
- Queensland Ambulance Service
- Department of Transport and Main Roads
- local councils
- other businesses (e.g. local security companies, transport providers).
If you need help identifying licensees in your area, contact your local OLGR office.
Step 3: Fund your liquor accord
Liquor accords are inexpensive to manage and maintain. Small membership fees may help cover the cost of initiatives, promotional materials or meetings.
Local councils and government agencies may provide support through special grants. You could also approach your members' suppliers and service providers for sponsorship.
Step 4: Establish a working party
Set up a working party to drive the accord from the idea stage through to its formalisation. Your working party should be made up of local licensees, with support from representatives of community and welfare groups, local and state government or other local businesses (see Step 2).
The working party is responsible for:
- nominating the initial accord coordinator (Step 5) and composition of the accord's first committee (e.g. president, treasurer, secretary), if you decide to have a committee
- defining the accord area
- identifying local issues and gathering useful data from QPS and OLGR, for example, the main types of offences committed, or problem areas in and around licensed premises within the accord locality
- coordinating meetings, inviting participants and ensuring inclusive communication
- coordinating promotion of the liquor accord
- identifying strategy options and coordinating their implementation
- preparing a draft document that formalises the accord's objectives, for example, a liquor accord agreement for endorsement by participants
- developing an evaluation plan.
Use this liquor accord agreement template as a starting point for developing your accord's objectives.
Step 5: Nominate an accord coordinator
The working party can nominate an accord coordinator. The coordinator should be the central point of contact for the ongoing management of the liquor accord.
The coordinator should:
- ensure regular communication between members, stakeholders and other participants through meetings, emails or social media
- monitor strategies in consultation with the accord's working party and members
- ensure the continuity and relevance of the liquor accord.
Step 6: Develop local strategies
Liquor accords develop local solutions for local issues. Review existing strategies that may help target issues in your area. Your liquor accord may need to seek legal advice on the implications of adopting certain strategies.
Read more about strategies for liquor accords.
Step 7: Formalise your accord's objectives
Formalise your liquor accord by distributing the liquor accord agreement to accord participants for their endorsement.
Your liquor accord agreement should be a voluntary agreement between members that:
- outlines the purpose and objectives (or goals) of your liquor accord
- details actions members agree to take to achieve the accord's objectives
- provides general information about how your accord will function, for example, its meetings, voting, and finance.
Step 8: Promote and launch your accord
Let everyone know about your liquor accord. Tell the community and local industry what your liquor accord is doing to enhance the community's wellbeing.
Hosting an official launch can attract media interest, especially if it's attended by a minister, member of parliament, local councillor, senior government official, or industry or community leader.
Consider catchphrases that summarise key initiatives of your liquor accord, for example, 'banned from one banned from all' is a catchphrase used by several accords to promote their patron banning strategies.
Get to know your local media outlets (newspapers, television, radio and social media). Send a media release or call to inform them of your liquor accord and its strategies. Provide opportunities for interviews and use any catchphrases in messaging to draw attention to your strategies.
Posters, stickers and drink coasters are useful promotional tools. Be sure to check for copyright issues (e.g. for use of logos) when preparing promotional materials.
Create a social media account (e.g. a Facebook page) to share updates and information with your members and local community.
Step 9: Evaluate your accord
Evaluating your liquor accord will tell you whether it's successful and why. Accord members should develop an evaluation process with agreed standards and indicators.
Consider whether:
- there have been improvements in relation to
- alcohol-related incidents, crime and road trauma—you can ask QPS
- alcohol-related complaints—you can ask OLGR
- antisocial behaviour—you can ask licensees
- you're achieving your objectives (or goals)
- your strategies are an efficient use of time and money and particular groups (e.g. community support organisations) are benefiting
- there are things you could do better next time.
Contact your members and stakeholders for feedback about your accord. Consider asking them to complete a short survey. Assess how best to refine your accord based on the responses you receive.
Also consider...
- Find information about liquor accords near you, including contact details and meeting times.
- Read tips for running a successful accord.
- Learn about other benefits of liquor accords.
- Read about other strategies liquor accords can use to address local issues.
- Find presenters to address your accord meetings.
- Download and display liquor accord signage.
- Keep up to date with changes and happenings in your industry by subscribing to the 'Inside Liquor and Gaming' newsletter.
Tips for running a successful liquor accord
Join a liquor accord
Help minimise alcohol and gambling-related harm, receive updates, discuss important issues, and connect with other licensees and government agencies.
Use the interactive map to find information about liquor accords near you.
Create a relaxed atmosphere
Aim for a relaxed, open forum where participants feel comfortable asking questions and sharing their views. Leave some time before or after meetings for attendees to network and get to know each other over a coffee or light snack.
Meet regularly and have virtual meetings if you need to
Hold meetings quarterly at a minimum. To demonstrate your accord's commitment to regular meetings, consider distributing a list of dates at the start of the year so everyone knows the schedule. Meeting times should suit attendees.
If in-person meetings become difficult to arrange, consider providing a virtual meeting link for those who can't attend in-person. Virtual meetings are easy to set up and can be recorded for members who can't attend.
- Use this liquor accord agreement template to record the organisation, scope and activities of your accord.
- Use the meeting agenda template or meeting minutes template to record your meeting discussion and decisions.
Encourage membership—the more the merrier
Many different liquor and gaming licensees make up Queensland's vibrant industry, including artisan producers, community clubs, restaurants, hotels and bars. Preferably, accord membership should comprise a mix of licensee types.
Consider promotions and membership drives that encourage all licensee types to join your accord. Ideally, there should be something at your meetings relevant to everyone.
- Use this membership application template to register new members.
- Read about a liquor accord with members from a broad catchment area.
Be curious, ask questions, seek feedback
Seek regular feedback from your members—this will allow your accord to make necessary changes that ensure their active participation. For example, if participation and engagement from members is starting to decline, there may be a simple explanation like your meeting times are no longer suitable, or perhaps members no longer perceive the value in attending.
Use this survey template to seek feedback from members about how to improve their participation. The results can help you start a meaningful and focused discussion.
Make the most of guest speakers
Ask your members to submit questions and topics they'd like stakeholders (or guest speakers) to cover at the next meeting. This gives speakers time to prepare helpful responses.
Members who submit questions are also more likely to attend the meeting to hear the answers. This will help keep attendance and engagement levels high.
Develop relevant and manageable strategies
Your accord's strategies should be practical and not place any unreasonable demands or expectations on members or stakeholders. Members and stakeholders should see benefits from the strategies you adopt.
Implementing a patron banning policy may be a great place to start.
Check in with other liquor accords to see what strategies have worked well for them.
Incorporate training and presentations
Keep your members engaged and ensure your venue staff have the skills and resources to perform their roles effectively by incorporating training and presentations into your meetings.
- Take online refresher courses.
- Find training and presentations that may be available in your area.
Be open to tackling other issues
Liquor accords can address more than just liquor-related issues. Accords can also play an important role in promoting safer gambling practices and reducing gambling-related harm. Consider adding responsible service of gambling (RSG) as a standing or periodic agenda item at your meetings.
Your members may also be interested in topics outside the liquor and gaming space, for example, new initiatives aimed at improving local businesses, or marketing presentations from businesses looking to promote their products. They can help you keep informed about what is happening in your area and local community.
Choose strong leaders with drive
At the heart of every successful accord is often a strong leader (or working group) with the motivation and drive to ensure their accord plays an integral part in their community. Choosing the right people to lead your accord will help ensure it remains in place for many years to come.
Join the Queensland liquor accords Facebook group
The Queensland liquor accords Facebook group provides a platform for accords and liquor licensees to share ideas and develop innovative solutions to problems they're facing.
Read an article explaining why you need to join this Facebook group.
Also consider...
- Read about how to start a liquor accord.
- Learn more about different strategies for liquor accords.
- Download and display liquor accord signage.
- Keep up to date with changes and happenings in your industry by subscribing to the 'Inside Liquor and Gaming' newsletter.
- Read the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation's liquor compliance strategy.
Strategies for liquor accords
Join a liquor accord
Help minimise alcohol and gambling-related harm, receive updates, discuss important issues, and connect with other licensees and government agencies.
Use the interactive map to find information about liquor accords near you.
Consider adopting these strategies and campaigns as part of your liquor accord's approach to harm minimisation.
Responsible service of alcohol
Licensees and their staff have an obligation to ensure the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) for the safe and compliant operation of licensed venues.
Adopt the 'Follow the law' campaign to help ensure your members comply with RSA requirements. The campaign includes refresher courses for licensees and their staff and free downloadable posters to display.
Minors and under-age drinking
Licensees and their employees have a legal responsibility to prevent under-age people (unless exempt) from entering their licensed premises and refusing the sale of alcohol.
Campaigns such as 'What are you really buying them?' can be supported by accord members to help educate staff and customers about the potential consequences of supplying minors alcohol.
Read more about exemptions for minors on licensed premises.
Targeting school leavers
Liquor accords have developed many successful harm minimisation initiatives to educate school students. The 'Think the Drink' campaign was originally developed by the Goondiwindi liquor accord and has since been adopted by many others. The initiative provides alcohol awareness to school leavers. Its topics include:
- acceptable behaviour in licensed venues
- obligations of staff and patrons
- information on standard drinks and intoxication levels.
Variations to this initiative have also provided opportunities for participants to be awarded with RSA training certificates, opening the door to future employment opportunities.
Banning problem patrons
A patron banning policy can reduce inappropriate behaviour, including acts of violence, in your area by banning problem patrons from entering venues indefinitely or for specified periods.
It is important that each individual licensee makes their own decision as to whether a patron will be banned from their premises.
Read how one liquor accord decided to introduce a banning system to improve safety.
For more information about implementing a banning policy, email:
Arthur McMahon
President, Townsville liquor accord
arthurmac@bigpond.com.
Communication networks between venues
Enhancing communication between venues can improve the safety and amenity within an accord area. Communication networks can help deal with unruly patrons and provide warnings about incidents or troublesome patrons who may be moving between venues.
Options to enhance communication include networked radio systems (as implemented by the Hervey Bay liquor accord) or free messaging apps available on smart phones.
For more information, email Rewald.SusanM@police.qld.gov.au.
Designated driver and road safety
Strategies like 'Heroes do zero' aim to reduce alcohol-impaired driving by rewarding or incentivising drivers who don't consume alcohol on a night out.
Programs such as 'Drink Rite' demonstrate why alcohol and driving don't mix.
Accord members can also develop other strategies to promote road safety, for example offering discounted meals or non-alcoholic drinks to designated drivers.
Patron safety campaigns
Patron safety campaigns like Ask for Angela and the OzAngel program assist patrons who feel vulnerable, threatened, or unsafe while out (with friends, on a date or on their own). These initiatives are easy to adopt, support an excellent cause and generally require little to no funding.
Accords can also develop their own unique campaigns targeting patron safety such as the Townsville liquor accord's domestic and family violence campaign, 'Is your relationship ticking the right boxes?'.
Read a newsletter article about the OzAngels campaign.
Reducing gambling-related harm
Accords can play an important role in promoting safer gambling practices and reducing gambling-related harm within their communities.
The 'When gambling took over...' campaign aims to raise awareness of the signs of gambling harm, reduce stigma through storytelling, and encourage gamblers who are experiencing harm to seek help. It includes free downloadable posters and a stakeholder kit containing content for newsletters and social media that can be shared among networks.
Accords can organise safer gambling network meetings in conjunction with their local Gambling Help Service (GHS) provider. These forums provide opportunities to discuss important issues related to gambling harm minimisation and learn more about the services offered by GHS providers.
Also consider...
- Read tips for running a successful accord.
- Learn about the benefits of liquor accords.
- Access training and presentations for your accord meetings.
- Read how licensees re-established a local liquor accord to improve safety.
- Download and display liquor accord signage.
- Keep up to date with changes and happenings in your industry by subscribing to the 'Inside Liquor and Gaming' newsletter.
- Read the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation's liquor compliance strategy.
Resources for liquor accords
Join a liquor accord
Help minimise alcohol and gambling-related harm, receive updates, discuss important issues, and connect with other licensees and government agencies.
Use the interactive map to find information about liquor accords near you.
Templates to help with running your accord
Consider using these templates to get you started with managing your accord.
- Membership application
- Liquor accord agreement—use this template to formalise your liquor accord and outline its purpose and objectives (or goals)
- Meeting agenda and meeting minutes
- Survey—use this template to seek feedback from members about how to improve your liquor accord.
- Liquor accord sign
Training and presentations
Consider these training presentations that may be available in your area.
Presentation or training topic | Presenter and contact information |
---|---|
|
Queensland Police Service Rewald.SusanM@police.qld.gov.au |
| Gambling Help Queensland 1800 858 858 |
|
Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation liquoraccords@justice.qld.gov.au |
|
Department of Transport and Main Roads digitallicence@tmr.qld.gov.au |
Newsletter articles about liquor accords
- Licensees re-establish local liquor accord
- Local liquor accords supporting community safety and harm minimisation
- Liquor accords keeping communities safe
- In focus: women's safety in licensed venues
- Coming together to minimise gambling harm
- A liquor accord with a twist
Also consider...
- Take these online refresher courses to keep your skills up to date.
- Keep up to date with changes and happenings in your industry by subscribing to the 'Inside Liquor and Gaming' newsletter.
- Read the Liquor Act 1992.
- Read the Wine Industry Act 1994.
- Read the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation's liquor compliance strategy.
© The State of Queensland 1995–2024
- Last reviewed: 08 Sep 2021
- Last updated: 08 Sep 2021