An Evaluation of Liquor Licensing Restrictions in the Western Australian Community of Port Hedland

Abstract

In response to expressions of concern from the Town of Port Hedland about local alcohol problems, the Western Australian Director of Liquor Licensing conducted a series of inquiries during 2002 into to the adverse effects of alcohol on the local community. As a consequence of findings from these inquiries, the Director decided to impose the following restrictions on the sale and promotion of packaged liquor, so that in accordance with the Liquor Licensing Act, harm and ill health in the community caused by alcohol would be minimised. No promotion or advertising of full strength beer, spirits, spirit mixers, or 2 litre wine casks Takeaway alcohol only to be sold from 11am to 9pm Monday to Saturday Table wine only to be sold in containers of 2 litres or less Fortified wine like Port and Sherry only to be sold in containers of less than 2 litres Spirits only to be sold in containers of 750mls or lessFollowing a number of appeals, these restrictions were mandated from 1st January, 2004, although restrictions on the container size of table and fortified wine occurred voluntarily in July 2002, and voluntary restrictions on takeaway times dated back to 1996 An evaluation of the community impact of the mandatory restrictions was commissioned by the Health Department of Western Australia, and undertaken by the National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) with assistance from the Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health (CUCRH).