GEELONG will enter the new year with promise of safer city streets following launch of an Australian-first safety accreditation program for late-night venues.

Geelong Nightlife Association members will forge a ground-breaking alliance with Victoria Police and the Geelong Advertiser's Just Think campaign against alcohol-related violence.

They will strive to meet stringent new safety standards at pubs and clubs.

Patrons will know that venues which have earned the Just Think Tick of Approval will have gained powerful endorsement for going the extra yards to make their community safer.

Venues breaching standards will risk losing their Just Think Tick of Approval at the discretion of the police licensing inspector.

Geelong Nightlife Association president Darren Holroyd confirmed yesterday major clubs including Home House, Club4Play, Lamby's and Eureka would back the Just Think campaign.

"We've tried to be proactive with other ideas, this will be another step in the right direction," Mr Holroyd said.

"Everyone wants to be involved with the Just Think campaign, I guess this is about having an industry standard we can aim to achieve and I think if we're all operating by industry standard it should help weed out repeat offenders.

"We were getting a reputation as a violent town. Those of us who love Geelong don't want to have that reputation locally and around the State."

Geelong police Chief Inspector Wayne Carson hopes to see the program running by March.

"It is pleasing that the nightlife association is coming on board with some enthusiasm, it's all the better for Geelong," Chief Insp Carson said. "This program will be one component in the overall strategy started in June last year.

"I think the Just Think Tick of Approval raises it to the next level and I confidently predict it will become a model used Australia-wide."

Geelong Advertiser editor Peter Judd said patrons could expect to note improvements, including increased security camera surveillance and use of materials other than glass, in nightclubs.

"It follows the good work which has been done with the Just Think campaign over the past year, in which the community, including the nightlife association, has played a big role in taking up the challenge and lifting their games," Mr Judd said.

"The Just Think campaign is not just about stories in the newspaper, it's about motivating everybody in Geelong to make our town safer and more special for everyone.

"We know people want to party safely and we know once the first nightclub gets accredited it will get the patronage and that's what it's all about - win-win."

He paid tribute to nightclubs for already having made a difference.

"They've been first in so many areas, with things like two-way radios and scanners we've led the way in many respects and in the whole time it hasn't been sanitised news coverage, it has been in your face, it has been very real and it will continue to be very real. This is not a publicity campaign, this is real change."