While the results of the trial for 2am lockouts at Melbourne's bars and nightclubs will be eagerly awaited, it will not provide a holistic, long-term solution.

Firstly, Melbourne is now no longer "bleak city" but a "happening city".

We are now an international city, and international visitors expect 24-hour service and entertainment.

International tourists and business travellers contributed $3.1 billion to the Victorian economy last year, much of that spent in Melbourne's CBD, in hotels, restaurants and shopping and entertainment precincts.

This expenditure by international, as well as domestic, tourists is a major source of income and employment in our state, especially for those in the accommodation industry.

By the same token, the problem of street violence could cost Victoria significant revenue and the reputation as a liveable, friendly and safe city if visitors choose to bypass Melbourne because of safety concerns.

Street violence is having considerable impact on the accommodation industry. It is not unusual for people to take refuge in hotel lobbies when violence breaks out on Melbourne's streets.

Hotel staff are requesting to be removed from evening rosters in fear of their own safety, while many hotels have hired security guards, or simply locked their doors at night, to ensure the safety of their staff, guests and property.

However, the problem of street violence is complex and there is no single, simplistic solution to fix that problem.

The sheer volume of people attracted to the CBD increases the likelihood of violence. Related to this, in recent memory, there have never been as many bars and nightclubs as there are in the city.

This is in part a result of population growth in Melbourne, as well as years of economic growth facilitating more disposable income for Melburnians to spend on entertainment.

The different attitude to authority of Generation Y is also said to be a factor, as well as smokers forced onto the street who are, in some cases, drinking on the street and blocking footpaths, causing altercations with passers-by.

When a number of licensed venues are grouped together on the one street or block, it is common to see a large number of revellers disperse from venues in quick succession, causing often unmanageable crowds.

More careful planning of licensed venues in the future may prevent the creation of some of the violence "hot-spots" that we see in parts of King and Queen streets.

Stronger enforcement of licensing laws will also assist to ensure venues are serving liquor responsibly, and within their set guidelines.

Future planning and the issuing of further licenses need to be managed in a responsible manner.

Drinking on the street, partly driven by smokers going outside, needs to be curbed and managed properly.

The current lack of timely and safe public transport is another contributor to the problem. An increase in the number of after-midnight tram, train and bus services would help manage the flow of patrons out of the city.

A better co-ordinated taxi service, with marshals outside key venues and funded by them, would also help prevent fights over taxis and clear crowds in a more efficient way.

Above all, a strong and visible police presence is integral in breaking the back of this current problem.

Given the increase in venues and crowds, it is only common sense that the number of police patrolling Melbourne's streets should continue to increase.

In Sydney, the return of police to the beat recently curbed a similar surge in violence around city nightspots.

An increased police presence should also be backed up by tougher penalties for offences such as assault and public drunkenness.

Tougher penalties for street violence may assist in deterring others from involvement in such actions and reinforce the unacceptability of the behaviour among younger generations.

The practice of locking up violent drunks overnight and simply letting them go without charge when they sober up in the morning has to be reviewed.

There is no quick-fix for the problem of street violence. The problem requires many different solutions to ensure that we do not lose valuable tourism revenue but, more importantly, the loss our precious city amenity.