MAY 2013

Important Notice: Is your  RSA and RCG Certificates Expiring

If you or your staff have a paper Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) and Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) certificate issued between January 2001 and December 2006, these certificates will no longer be valid after 30 June 2013.

Holders of these certificates need to complete a new course from an approved training provider and apply for a photo competency card from a participating Australia Post outlet.

 

Remember - Holders of expired paper certificates risk being fined by NSW Police or inspectors from the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing.

(REF:liquor + gaming newsletter May 2013)

Kings Cross Competency Cards

All licensees, bar staff, RSA marshals and security staff working in the Kings Cross precinct must hold a current recognised Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) competency card.
For the Kings Cross precinct:

•    If you are a licensee, you must have a competency card ($1,100 penalty notice);
•    If you are a licensee your staff must have a competency card ($1,100 penalty notice);
•    If you are a staff member you must have a competency card ($440 penalty notice);
•    If you employ crowd controllers or bouncers, you must ensure they have a competency card ($550 penalty notice);
•    If you are a crowd controller or bouncer, you must have a competency card ($440 penalty notice);
•    If you are required to employ RSA marshals, they must have a competency card ($550 penalty notice);
•    If you are an RSA marshal, you must have a competency card ($440 fine).
•    The new measures are part of the Liquor Amendment (Kings Cross) Regulation 2012, which is one of a range of Government initiatives to clean up Kings Cross.

Important – Interim certificates are not acceptable in Kings Cross. All licensees, bar staff, RSA marshals and security staff in Kings Cross must hold an RSA Competency Card.

(REF: liquor + gaming newsletter May 2013)

Byron Bay AGM deliversnew executive and constitution

Byron Bay Liquor Accord held its annual general meeting on April 30 at which its members voted in a new accord executive representing the diversity of liquor licences in Byron Bay.

Accord members also voted on a constitution that includes the recently adopted voluntary terms that Byron Bay Liquor Accord members have adopted to address alcohol-related harm in their local community.

The AGM was a chance for Police, Council and OLGR representatives to meet with Accord members and discuss progress on the implementation of measures to reduce alcohol-related harm.

(REF: liquor + gaming newsletter May 2013)

$48 million for NSW problem gambling services

The NSW Government has announced contracts worth more than $48 million over four years for high quality counselling and support services for problem gamblers across NSW.

The Responsible Gambling Fund will support mainstream and multicultural problem gambling counselling services, legal support for problem gamblers, and professional training for counsellors.

56 services successfully tendered for contracts and these organisations will share in more than $10.7 million in funding in 2013-14 and more than $48 million through to June 2017.

Face-to-face counselling services will be funded across NSW including Sydney, the Central Coast, Hunter, Illawarra, New England/NorthWest, North Coast, Riverina/Murray, South East and Western NSW regions.

Statewide services will also be provided to support problem gamblers from non-English speaking backgrounds, to help problem gamblers facing legal difficulties, and to ensure that NSW's gambling counsellors have access to the latest professional training.

(REF: liquor + gaming newsletter May 2013)

Alcohol abuse on the rise in NSW

It's a sobering reminder this festive season that alcohol has overtaken illicit drugs as the main reason for rehabilitation at one of Australia's largest treatment centres.

The CEO of Odyssey House in Sydney says it's the first time in 30 years that heroin or another addictive substance has not been their primary concern.

A national alcohol and drug researcher says it should be no surprise given the level of alcohol abuse in the general community.more