In short:
New liquor restrictions are now in place across Broome and Derby.
The rules heavily restrict the sale of alcohol, including trading hour reductions and tougher personal purchase limits.
What’s next?
The government will monitor the rules on an ongoing basis to see whether they reduce alcohol-related harm.
Police have been out in force as some of Western Australia’s toughest-ever liquor restrictions begin to take effect in the state’s far north.
Monday marked day one of the new rules in Broome and Derby, 2,200 kilometres north of Perth in WA’s Kimberley, with the sale of alcohol banned on some days and heavily restricted on others in a bid to reduce alcohol-related harm in the community.
Director of Liquor Licensing Lanie Chopping issued a show-cause notice to 37 alcohol retailers across both towns in January, when the restrictions — based on those that have impacted alcohol-related crime in the state’s Gascoyne — were first flagged.
It also followed a push from police for blanket restrictions across 25 regional communities around the state.
An increased police presence is now expected in the Kimberley to help enforce new restrictions, as community members have raised concerns about a potential increase in “sly grogging”.
What restrictions are in place?
Under the new rules, Broome bottle shops can only trade between midday and 8pm with purchase limits on the amount of alcohol each customer can buy.
In Derby, the sale of takeaway alcohol is now banned on Sundays and Mondays with trade restricted to midday–7pm on other days.
Both towns are subject to continued daily purchase limits, which include a choice of either two bottles of wine, a carton of beer under 6 per cent alcohol, or a bottle of spirits.
The sale of alcohol in glass containers where there are non-glass containers available is also restricted.
The penalties for contravening the restrictions include a $10,000 fine for a licensee or a manager, a $4,000 fine for an employee or agent, and a $2,000 fine for any other individual.
A licensee can also face a complaint before the Liquor Commission and a manager can face disciplinary action.
What do people think?
Brian Booth is a tourist travelling through the region and said he felt unaffected by restrictions having experienced them before in other states.
“Travelling up through the Northern Territory and also in WA there are only certain times when you can buy alcohol, which I have come across,” he said.
“That’s not a great issue for me. I believe it’s going to help the community for sure.”
Derby local Braden Riles said he would be changing the days he re-stocked his fridge.
“It is what it is, we came down yesterday to grab a case given it’s the last time that we’ll be able to do so,” he said.
The town’s major hotels, the Spinifex Hotel and Boab Inn, have faced scrutiny from regulators over alleged breaches of their license conditions.
The Spinifex bottle shop closed its doors over the weekend with the front door also bolted on Monday.
“We’re losing two full days, one day when we don’t necessarily have to compete with a large BWS brand, so it’s a big impact for us,” managing director Emmanuel Dillon said.
“It will result with between four and six [staff members] that we no longer need, which is again another kick in the guts for Derby.”
One measure among many
Experts say restrictions can work to reduce alcohol-related harm but need to be accompanied by other supports.
Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation men’s worker Floyd Churnside said it was disappointing the Director of Liquor Licensing did not adequately consult with community groups and residents in Derby.
University of Queensland Public Health researcher Andrew Smirnov said people needed support to reduce their alcohol consumption.
“That needs to come with some investment in these services,” Dr Smirnov said.
“People who have strong physical and psychological dependence on alcohol can’t just switch that off when the supply of alcohol stops.
“So they do take risks like travelling to other places, drinking in unfamiliar environments, and also sourcing alcohol from illegal sources.”
Get our local newsletter, delivered free each Tuesday
Posted , updated