The NSW government has defended its efforts to tackle alcohol-related violence amid growing criticism it is falling short.
The criticism comes ahead of Sydney's busiest night of the year - New Year's Eve - when police, publicans and paramedics will have their hands full across the city.
Police Minister Michael Gallacher defended the sobering-up centres, which accommodate drunk people who have refused police orders to move on.
He said in a statement on Monday the centres were one of the "measures providing a real deterrent to drunk and disorderly behaviour" on the streets.
This is despite only 197 people having used the centres since they opened in July.
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Mr Gallacher said in the last 30 days police issued 156 move-on directions, only four of which were refused.
This indicated the government's process for targeting drunk individuals was working, he said.
"There is no silver bullet for alcohol-related violence, which is why the government has rolled out multiple, complementary strategies to tackle the problem," the statement said.
"With alcohol-related assaults declining, it's clear they're working."
Mr Gallacher was responding to a News Corp Australia article that reported a more than 20 per cent increase in the number of liquor licences granted over the past five years.
The O'Farrell government has resisted calls to implement the "Newcastle-model", including earlier lock-outs and alcohol sale restrictions, in Sydney.
Mr Gallacher said the sobering-up centres, additional police, stronger police move-on powers and initiatives in Kings Cross have contributed to a 33 per cent reduction in violent incidents in licensed premises since last year.
