CALM liquor accords to use social media to benefit community

The CALM Sunshine Coast liquor accord together with local and state government agencies and local licensees will meet tomorrow (Wednesday 23 March) to look at how social media can further enhance community safety focusing on alcohol harm minimisation.

Sunshine Coast Council will be working with accord members to develop a CALM liquor accord website.

Owner of Soave Mooloolaba and Chairperson of the CALM Mooloolaba accord, Jo Simonelli said the CALM Liquor Accord website will bring the accord to the forefront of using social media to assist in the minimisation of alcohol related crime and violence across the Sunshine Coast region.

“The website is a leap forward in providing the community and licensees with a means to further build networks and connections, comment and create meaningful conversations on local alcohol related issues,” Ms Simonelli said.

“The site will be a communication hub on information and events for members and the community providing a collaborative approach to effective management of the region’s liquor venues.

“Any tool that helps licensees, government agencies and the community work together for the continuous improvement of community safety in and around licensed venues is worth developing.”

The website is due for launch later this year.

The CALM Sunshine Coast meeting provides an avenue for the chair and deputy chair of each local accord to work together with state and local governments and other agencies to discuss local and regional liquor-related issues and successes.

Community Policy and Programs Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said CALM has proven it is about actions that improve the whole community.

“CALM continues to proactively produce initiatives to benefit the entire Sunshine Coast region,” she said.

“This meeting continues to enable strategic planning on a regional level.”

CALM liquor accords now exist across the Sunshine Coast in Caloundra, Hinterland, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Nambour, Noosa and Maroochy North Shore to Peregian Beach. The recent establishment of the CALM Maroochy North Shore accord was as a direct result from licensees approaching Council with the want for a local accord. The establishment of these local accords has been largely in recognition that each area is unique and subsequently can each face very different issues.

Membership of each accord is made up of local liquor providers, state and local government, businesses, community members and other interested agencies. The accords focus on local liquor related trends, issues and positive approaches in addressing these matters on a local level.