The Liquor Accord group consists of licensees, managers and staff from the licensed premises in Lightning Ridge and Grawin, members of the Walgett Shire Council, police from the Castlereagh LAC and other community groups.

As a result of the meeting, the six off-license premises within the area, including the Lightning Ridge Bowling Club, Lightning Ridge Hotel Motel, Khan’s IGA Supermarket, Grawin Club in the Scrub, Sheepyard Inn and Peter’s Glengarry Hilton, have voluntarily undertaken to enter into a Local Licensing Agreement. This will restrict the sale of takeaway alcohol in Lightning Ridge and Grawin.

The agreement will restrict the sale of all takeaway fortified wines until noon daily and the sale of all takeaway alcohol after 11pm daily.

A six-month trial period will take place from September 20 2010 to March 20 2011. At the conclusion of the trial period, members of the local Liquor Accord will meet with police again to evaluate the results.

The police from the Castlereagh LAC say alcohol is a common thread linking criminal and anti-social behaviour within the township of Lightning Ridge and that these restrictions are part of their efforts to reduce rates of crime and levels of anti-social behaviour in accordance with the NSW Government State Plan.

The police say they are encouraged by the responsible view and actions taken by members of the local Liquor Accord in developing a long-term, sustainable plan to combat the adverse effects of alcohol.