Alcohol-fuelled harm is one of the worst problems facing communities in Western Australia, prompting police in Port Hedland to push for a number of take-away alcohol restrictions.
Police are seeking a ban on the sale of take-away full strength beer and premixed alcohol, as well as limits on the quantity of take-away alcohol that can be bought.
Police submitted an application to the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor director general.
Included in the police submission are a litany of alcohol related harm in Port Hedland as well as a range of restrictions the police would like introduced.
In addition to the ban on take-away alcohol sales on full strength beer and premixed drinks, they also want takeaway sales of spirits and fortified wines limited to 1 bottle per customer daily and 3 bottles of wine.
Take-away alcohol would only be sold Monday to Saturday between the hours of 2pm and 8pm under the police restrictions.
In addition to sending the application to the the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor director general, police have also sent it licensees and government agencies in Port Hedland. They have also submitted an invitation to provide feedback on the proposal.
According to Inspector Ricky Chadwick, from Pilbara District Office, police could no longer stand idly by and watch a whole generation destroy themselves.
“We are mindful that it may well impact on people’s convenience of choice and the like, but the reasons behind it are very valid,” he said.
“The reality is at some point in time people have got to make decisions, and certainly from a police perspective I’m more than comfortable with the action we’re taking.
“Ultimately the outcome will be a matter for the director [of liquor licensing] himself.”
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-15/alcohol-restrictions-proposed-for-port-hedland/8272504
While police are confident the ban will help address alcohol related violence and harm in the area, the Shire of East Pilbara believes the proposed ban could simply move the problem “down the road”.
According to President Lynne Craigie more co-ordination is needed across the region when it comes to liquor restrictions.
“We know that if we ban something in one area, it just moves the problem down the road,” she said.
“It needs to be across the board. For example, if we have restrictions in Newman then they go to Hedland, and if they ban it in Hedland they’ll just go to Newman.”
Read more at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-15/alcohol-restrictions-proposed-for-port-hedland/8272504
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