Accord approves grog sales limits

Members of the Newman Liquor Accord last week voted to implement self-imposed quantity limits on liquor sales.

The restrictions will mean beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages with more than 3.5 per cent alcohol content will be limited to 11.35 litres a day, or a 30-can carton.

No more than three bottles of wine or one bottle of spirits will be allowed to be bought a day.

However, people will still be able to pre-order alcohol for events and order online.

The decision comes after trials of mandatory ID scanners to help bottle shops enforce alcohol restrictions were extended until May.

Liquor Store Association of WA Government relations and communications manager Peter Peck said the Newman Liquor Accord was following in the footsteps of the Port Hedland Liquor Accord by waiting to assess the results of Takeaway Alcohol Management System trials in Kununurra and Wyndham.

“It’s not a fact that people don’t want the system, they just want the right system,” he said.

“There’s a system in the Northern Territory which may suit the environment here better than the TAMS. Also, that’s only one part of the problem.

“The other part is that alcohol is a sedative — these people have got a problem so they drink to forget.

“Problem is if we take away the alcohol without putting in services to deal with the problems people are having, either people start to steal because they’re addicted to alcohol or they get into more scary things such as drugs. We need to fill these gaps in assistance or we’ll be in for a major shock.”

Pilbara liquor enforcement unit officer-in-charge Sergeant Kim Briggs said the accord’s decision would help the community.

“The restrictions are really quite reasonable,” he said.

“We commend any attempt by industry to reduce alcohol-related crime in our community.”