Broome and Derby alcohol restrictions: Booze purchase limits and takeaway alcohol sales hours reduced

New restrictions on takeaway alcohol sales and reduced opening hours of bottle shops in Broome and Derby have been announced following the crackdown on grog proposed by the Director of Liquor Licensing. From July 15, the sale and supply of packaged alcohol is only authorised on permitted days between the hours of 12 midday to 8pm in Broome and between 12 midday to 7pm in Derby, with a total ban on the sale of take-home booze applied on Sundays and Mondays in Derby. The restrictions also limit takeaway sales to a single carton of full-strength beer per customer per day, or alternatively 2 bottles of wine, 1 litre of spirits or 1 litre of fortified wine. Where the alcohol content exceeds 6 per cent, customers would be restricted to a maximum of 3.75 litres of beer, cider or pre-mix spirits. In Broome, customers could previously purchase up to six bottles of wine per day. Licensees in both towns would continue to be required to scan the IDs of all customers purchasing packaged liquor to ensure they are not on the banned drinkers’ register. Where a particular product is available in a non-glass container, it would be illegal for a licensed venue to sell the glass version to customers. Customers could also apply to make a “bulk purchase order” with at least 72 hours notice, but would be required to provide their name, address, phone number, address where the booze is being taken, description of what is being bought, and the reason for the order. A copy of that information must then be provided to the local police station within 24 hours of the order being received. The announcement comes after Director of Liquor Licensing Lanie Chopping decided to implement tightened restrictions to tackle anti-social behaviour plaguing the Kimberley towns. A show cause notice issued on January 8 this year was sent to 37 licensees in Broome and Derby to outline the proposed changes, with the DLL saying “the proposed restrictions are aimed at minimising alcohol-related harm and ensuring public order and safety”. “It follows a detailed inquiry which gathered extensive evidence of the effects of excessive alcohol consumption in those areas and considered the impact on the health and safety of individuals and families,” the DLL said in the notice. Liquor restrictions are determined by the DLL, who is independent of government. But in a statement to The Sunday Times, Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia said he would welcome any changes to reduce alcohol-related harm. “Alcohol-related harm is a scourge on communities,” he said. “Liquor restrictions and the strengthened Banned Drinkers Register are great mechanisms to help reduce the negative impact alcohol can have but we know there is no quick fix, which is why we are working across portfolios on a suite of strategies. “We’ve seen the positive effect liquor restrictions can have in Carnarvon, and we welcome any changes the Director of Liquor Licensing can impose to reduce alcohol-related harm.”