Following proposals made earlier this year for new takeaway liquor restrictions in the Kimberley, blanket liquor purchase limits will be imposed from 15 July.
Under the new restrictions, which have been introduced to try and minimise alcohol-related harm, licensees in Broome and Derby will experience restrictions on operating hours, customer purchasing quantities, sale of glass containers and more.
Tightened legislation in Broome will mean that liquor sales are only authorised between 12pm and 8pm, seven days a week, with further restrictions on the quantities allowed to be purchased by any customer in one trading day.
In Broome, tougher restrictions mean that customers can no longer buy alcohol on Sundays and Mondays, and alcohol sales are limited to the hours of 12pm through to 7pm on permitted days. Purchase limits will also apply to the amount of alcohol customers can buy in Broome.
Speaking about the announcement that the restrictions will be imposed in July, Retail Drinks CEO Michael Waters told National Liquor News that the industry body supports the WA Government in pursuing targeted policy measures in Broome and Derby to address alcohol-related issues.
“Since January, businesses have been operating in accordance with the voluntary measures placing restrictions on takeaway liquor sales.
“As a principle, we believe that targeted, localised approaches are more effective than blanket measures which punish the majority of residents who drink responsibly.
“We are concerned however that the Department is yet to provide any detail on how it intends to review the effectiveness of the measures announced yesterday,” he added.
Following the implementation of a show cause notice on licensees in Broome and Derby earlier this year, the LSA WA has also expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the new restrictions after Lanie Chopping, WA Director of Liquor Licensing, identified an insufficient level of wrap around services in the region.
According to LSA WA CEO Peter Peck, the association is urging authorities to invest in more targeted wrap around services in Broome and Derby, highlighting the importance of rehabilitation and harm minimisation measures in the community.
“While small business will be affected by fewer trading days and hours a result of these restrictions, we look forward to a greater injection of wrap around services to combat the destructive behaviour and target the people in need of help,” said Peck.
“We also look forward to a greater focus on prosecuting sly groggers who may look to capitalise on the restrictions in Derby.”
Peck said it was also imperative that police and other stakeholders developed contingency plans in the event problem drinkers took their destructive behaviour to nearby tourism towns.