A fantastic collection of farmers and artisan producers are preparing for the launch of SSM’s Farmers Market at Taylor Square, Darlinghurst. The proposed start date has been re-scheduled to early May 2010, pending final approvals. Please check the website www.sydneysustainablemarkets.org for notification of exact market start date.

Police attached to Surry Hills Local Area Command have issued a warning for females to be aware of their personal safety following two alleged sexual assaults.

In a piece in today's Sydney Morning Herald Hugh Mackay - pysychologist, social researcher and writer - presents a case for earlier closing times.

"... You don't change a culture by preaching. You don't get people to stop drinking and driving by asking them to. You don't get smokers to be more considerate of others by appealing to their sense of decency.

To change an established pattern of behaviour, you need to examine the circumstances giving rise to it. Behaviour changes only when its context changes. We changed the drink-driving culture by introducing random breath-testing. We changed the tobacco culture by making cigarettes more expensive and by severely restricting the locations where smoking is permitted

Acknowledging there's a public health and safety problem does not solve it. This is not an ''attitude'' problem. Cultures, like individuals, don't usually change from within. Nothing changes until we modify the circumstances that encourage the problem ...."

The Police Association of NSW, Australian Medical Association (NSW), NSW Nurses’ Association and the Health Service Union (HSU) launched the Last Drinks campaign in Sydney today.

Sign the petition to Premier Kristina Keneally and Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell.

Ambulance officers, nurses, doctors and police are sick of dealing with the effects of intoxicated patrons of licensed premises late at night and early in the morning. They are abused, intimidated, threatened, assaulted and injured more often than not because of alcohol-fuelled violence.

They have joined forces to encourage tighter control of licensing laws in hotels, pubs and clubs and help reduce the incidence of alcohol-related violence and crime on our streets.

The coalition released a report today, examining the need for tighter controls implemented in Newcastle to be adopted statewide. Following the trial of tougher licensing laws in Newcastle, assaults after dark fell by 29 per cent.

Doctors, nurses, ambulance officers and police are calling for action and for similar measures to be rolled out statewide. They want the State Government to introduce alcohol trading restrictions such as lockouts and reduced trading hours, similar to those already in place in Newcastle, state-wide to help put an end to innocent workers and members of the community becoming the victims of alcohol-related abuse.

The NSW Government has released a new plan of measures to reduce alcohol-related crime and anti-social drunken behaviour in our main entertainment districts - including Oxford Street. Actions include extending the liquor licence freeze (due to expire on 24th June 2010) for a further 12 months, increased late night transport options across targeted entertainment districts, strengthened regulation of the most violent licensed premises and powers to regulate trading hours. New rules also target alcohol-related violence from party boats, karaoke venues, party buses and large scale events

More detail of the Hassle Free Nights plan can be seen on its dedicated website www.nsw.gov.au/hassle-free-nights