A 33-YEAR-OLD Townsville man was assaulted on Shute Harbour Road in Airlie Beach on January 12, adding to concerns that early lockout laws are not the answer to preventing alcohol-fuelled violence.

The man had been at a licensed venue when he had a minor verbal altercation with two other people.

Just after midnight the man came into contact with the same two people again outside a fast food restaurant.

He was then punched in the face by one of the offenders, which caused him to lose consciousness.

Both the offender and his companion fled the scene.

The victim was taken by ambulance to the Proserpine Hospital for treatment.

Spokesperson for Safe Night Airlie Beach, Stacy Harvey said this incident was sadly not unusual, and that lockout laws were certainly not the answer to putting an end to alcohol fuelled violence.

"Our view is that early lockout laws won't help reduce violence," she said.

"We need to look at a broader picture.

"We need tougher penalties, especially for first time offenders and we need more education in schools about the consequences of violence and drug and alcohol use.

"If you look at the history of violent assaults in Queensland, there's no recurring pattern in time periods or locations, so closing the venues earlier will most likely have no real effect."

Investigations into the assault are continuing, and Police are seeking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or anyone who has information related to it to contact the Whitsunday Police Station on 4948 8888 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The damage that can be inflicted on a person in just one punch is well known and documented, and police urge anyone who finds themselves in a situation of conflict to walk away and cool down.