Alice Springs pubs and bars will face new restrictions on full-strength alcohol sales starting today, as mandated by the Northern Territory Liquor Commission. Under this decision, over 20 licensed venues in the town will only be permitted to serve full-strength alcohol with a meal during lunch hours on Wednesdays to Fridays, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The restriction is part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to mitigate alcohol-related harm in central Australia. In a related move, the commission has also recommended that venues such as Todd Tavern, The Rock Bar, Bojangles, and Uncles Tavern implement on-site ID systems to prevent service to individuals with banning orders. However, this measure requires legislative updates by the Northern Territory government to facilitate the sharing of drinking-related information.
Hospitality Sector’s Response
The hospitality sector has expressed strong opposition to these new measures. Cathy Simmonds, CEO of Hospitality NT, which represents pubs and licensed venues, described the measures as unprecedented. “We are very disappointed by the decision to continue down this path, but we are not particularly surprised given the conduct of the liquor commission in its present form,” Ms. Simmonds stated.
She further elaborated on the challenges these restrictions would pose. “It is one thing to vary the conditions for one licence. It is really unprecedented for the commission to add conditions for 20 in one go without it being a disciplinary act,” she added. Ms. Simmonds also warned that the changes would create additional pressure on staff, necessitating extensive training to cope with the inconsistent rules.
Police and Commission’s Perspective
Meanwhile, NT Police Southern Commander James Gray-Spence cautiously welcomed the proposed restrictions, emphasizing their intent to curb alcohol-related incidents, particularly mid-week. “Our submission explored different risk controls to reduce alcohol-related harm in Alice Springs,” he said, adding, “This decision is data-driven.”
“Other businesses had observed an increase in incidents between Wednesday and Friday, and our observations confirm that trend,” Commander Gray-Spence noted.
However, Ms. Simmonds questioned the commission’s interpretation of the data, pointing out that alcohol sales have been declining annually since 2018, with crime rates only showing improvement in the last 12 months. “Most tourists and most Territorians drink responsibly,” she argued.
Historical Context and Future Implications
The announcement comes as part of a broader strategy by the commission, which has previously introduced measures such as takeaway-free days on Mondays, initiated in January 2023. The current proposal extends these restrictions to additional weekdays, aiming to balance public safety with business operations.
Commission chair Russell Goldflam defended the approach in a November interview with the ABC, citing a substantial spike in trouble on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays based on police and security statistics. “We have had a close look at the police statistics and the statistics of the security operators employed by the Yeperenye Centre,” Mr. Goldflam said.
The decision will affect more than 20 Alice Springs venues, potentially adding complexity and cost to their operations. However, the liquor commission’s decisions are appealable within 20 days, providing venues with time to respond.
Impact on Patrons and Staff
For patrons, these changes could mean adjusting weekday lunch habits and planning ahead for drinks outside mealtimes. For staff and licensees, it will require training and monitoring to ensure compliance with the new regulations.
As the community navigates these changes, the focus remains on reducing alcohol-related harm while maintaining the vibrancy and economic viability of Alice Springs’ hospitality sector.
