Residents say death is ‘wakeup call’

Residents have told City News the recent death of Wilson Duque Castillo outside a Kings Cross nightclub was a ‘wakeup call’ that shines light onto the problem of alcohol-related violence and the need for intervention by government.

Speaking during a rally and protest in Mr Castillo’s memory President of the Potts Point and King Cross Heritage Conservation Society, Andrew Woodhouse, said Council and the State Government had “blood on their hands” for the death.

Mr Woodhouse pointed out independent research released by Council last year showed Bayswater Road in Kings Cross – the site of Mr Castillo’s beating – had the highest recorded rates of anti-social behaviour with 80 incidents recorded in one hour on a Friday night.

The site also has the highest recorded pedestrian density (6000 people per hour at its peak) of anywhere in Sydney.

People should be able enjoy a fun, safe night out,” Mr Woodhouse said.

“But it should never be at other peoples’ expense.”

City of Sydney Late Night Economy Manager Suzie Matthews said the number of people in the areas is equivalent to a major event every weekend.

“The research clearly demonstrates what frontline staff such as police, emergency workers and council rangers are seeing every weekend,” Ms Matthews said.

“We need a coordinated approach as we do for other major events – the City cannot do it alone.

“We want to create a vibrant and diverse night time economy where Sydneysiders and visitors are safe to be out in the early morning and are able to get home.”

Recent amendments to Council’s Development Control Plan (DCP) to reduce alcohol-related incidents were overturned by State Planning Minister, Tony Kelly, who said their one-size-fits-all approach “creates uncertain working conditions for licensed premises and other businesses who say this would result in the loss of thousands of jobs and economic investment in the city”.

While a recent report by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research showed a reduction in overall assault rates for NSW there had been no reduction in overall assault levels for the City of Sydney – with over 4000 recorded this year.

City of Sydney’s Late Night Economy Manager, Suzie Matthews, said despite a reduction of assaults in licensed premises, fights taking place outside of venues still remain steady.

“For us, the majority of assaults occur in a public place; so after people have left the venue is where fights happen,” Ms Matthews said.

By Simon Black