Liqour restrictions proposed for the Pilbara

A plan to impose liquor restrictions across the Pilbara has raised the ire of local businesses, supermarket chains and powerful industry groups.

But, health campaigners say tighter rules are needed to combat a host of alcohol-related problems plaguing the region.

Publicans and licensees in the Kimberley are used to restrictions when it comes to selling alcohol.

The Pilbara has, however, remained relatively restriction free, with some limits in place at Port Hedland and a handful of remote Aboriginal communities declared dry zones.

Several towns, including Onslow, already operate under a voluntary liquor accord.

That's set to change.

WA's Director of Liquor Licensing has decided it's in the public interest to impose Section 64 restrictions on the entire Pilbara region.

The restrictions include:

1. - The prohibition of packaged liquor sales on Sunday
2. - Alcohol can only be sold between noon and 8pm on other days.
3. - The prohibition of wine casks larger than two litres.
4. - Individual purchase limits of a maximum of two litres of cask wine, one carton of beer or one bottle of spirits per day.
5. - Licensees to submit all sales data to the Department of Racing Gaming and Liquor every four months.

Although originally focused on just the West Kimberley, the proposal has since been amended to cover the entire region at the request of WA Police.

Opposing views

The proposal has attracted dozens of submissions from stakeholders.

WA's Commissioner for Children and Young People, the Shire of Roebourne, The Departments of Mental Health, Child Protection and Corrective Services and Tourism WA all support the plan.

Mike Daube, from the McCusker Centre for Action on Alcohol and Youth says it's well overdue.

"The Pilbara has one of the worst rates of alcohol-related problems in the state and in the country," he said.

"So this is about reducing domestic violence, road trauma, alcohol-related injury and a dramatic range of problems.

"We've got to get grips with the problem."

A 2011 report by the West Pilbara Alcohol Management Group, which proposed the laws, revealed per capita consumption of alcohol in the region was more than twice the state average.

Mr Daube says he's surprised a Section 64 hasn't been implemented already.

"The entire community wants this - government agencies, the police, local councils and the residents themselves," he said.

The move is seen as heavy handed by the Australian Hotels Association.

Bradley Woods, from its WA branch, says the proposal is ridiculous.

"If health advocates and the police were doing their job and targeting the problem drinkers and abusers of alcohol, we wouldn't even be looking at this issue," he said.

"This is a ridiculous way of approaching very specific problems in specific areas.

"The average everyday resident who wants to go and purchase their liquor on different days will be limited.

"Businesses will have opening hours, sales and staff hours cut back, so their value will be affected too."

A survey of AHA members found almost 90 per cent see the laws as draconian and heavy-handed.

"There needs to be a mid-way point, a way of addressing the core concerns of the DLL in a way that also lets the industry operate successfully and doesn't inconvenience the public," Mr Woods said.

Restrictions

The laws are likely to create a headache for pastoralists, travellers and other groups that tend to buy alcohol in bulk, although the DLL is willing to consider exemptions.

There are also questions around how the restrictions would affect fly-in fly-out workers on mining camps.

In its submission, mining company Rio Tinto says it already has a strict policy in place at accommodation camps across the Pilbara.

It says a heavy-handed response is not appropriate and is also concerned about the impact any restrictions might have on the lifestyle of its workers.

Tourism WA says it's unlikely tourists will be negatively impacted by alcohol restrictions in the region.

CEO Stephanie Buckland says they could actuality benefit the industry by reducing anti-social behaviour and improving the area's reputation.

She says a good education strategy will be vital to make sure tourists understand the new rules.

"If (the restrictions) are not rolled out and communicated properly, they could impact on the experience of visitors in the region, in particular on Sundays," she said.

"All relevant regional and local tourism bodies and associations need to be consulted about a communications strategy."

Mr Daube says any impact will be minor when compared to the health benefits.

"If the price we pay is that a few tourists can't go out and get drunk or pick up alcohol, then that's a price we should be willing to pay," he said.

"It's also important to note that restrictions are part of a broader plan.

"There's a range of education programs and treatment services being put in place as well."

Impact

Similar restrictions seem to be having a positive impact in others parts of North West WA.

The Drug and Alcohol Office released a two-year report on the impact of liquor restrictions on Halls Creek.

It says police call-outs halved, assaults dropped by almost 60 per cent, alcohol-related presentations to the local emergency department decreased by 45 per cent and the number of residents attending the sober up centre fell by 70 per cent.

Critics say it has hurt local businesses and shifted the problem elsewhere as problem drinkers simply leave for bigger towns.

These are the sorts of issues concerning local liquor shops, Coles and Woolworths Supermarkets and the Australian Hotels Association.

Pilbara licensees have been issued with a show cause notice, giving them one final chance to argue their case against the restrictions.

The DLL will meet the Karratha Liquor Accord on August 22.

The Director of Liquor Licensing will then make a final call on the proposal.

Source: ABC News, 1 August 2012