Rogue operators have 'no place' in Byron Bay

AHA NSW CEO Paul Nicolaou said it was disappointing a small number of "backpacker-type" establishments had to be fined before they realised they were not above the law.

He praised the regulator for being true to its word in targeting recalcitrant operators.

"The one positive I get from this is it shows the police and OLGR are true to their word – hammering the recalcitrant operators and leaving the compliant licensees to operate their businesses," Nicolaou said.

"Earlier this year, licensees in Byron Bay were left in no doubt that the voluntary measures that were being trialled over the winter months had to be complied with, and both OLGR and Ppolice would be checking them.

"With that backdrop, any venue that would choose to flout those conditions deserves the wrath of the courts. Law-abiding venues have their futures put at risk when rogue operators fail to comply with the law.

"It's frustrating to say the least."

Byron Bay Liquor Accord chairperson Hannah Spalding was equally unimpressed.

"The Byron Bay Liquor Accord worked closely with the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing and NSW Police to trial a set of measures that were relevant to the area," she said.

"That initial six-month trial finishes in a few weeks and the suggestion is that the measures are working. Incidents such as this place the entire project in jeopardy.

"No venue is above the law – and rogue venues will be punished – that's the message here."