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Alcohol strategies a community matter

An integral part of Best Practice in Local Government is community consultation. Alice Springs Town Council is demonstrating this crucial aspect of Best Practice in its push to tackle the negative impact of alcohol in the community.

The Town Council is calling on the full support of all stakeholders to effectively develop and implement five key strategies to take on alcohol issues faced by the local community. The key areas are enforcement of current legislation, public awareness, funding, restrictions and anti-social behaviour.

Mayor Fran Erlich said Council was prompted into action following the release of results from a community survey titled 'Dollars Made from Broken Spirits'.

The report was prepared by Dr Marge Hauritz, from Hauritz and Associates in Brisbane on behalf of the Alice Alcohol Representative Committee. It highlighted many issues relating to alcohol sale and use in the community, and presented the Licensing Commission with a number of recommendations.

Mayor Erlich said Council decided to address the issues highlighted by the report. "Our role is constrained because we don't have a legislative role, but Council does have a leadership role on this issue," she said.

Council is also acting as facilitator, encouraging community participation and applying for funds to tackle aspects of the alcohol problem. It is also fulfilling the role of lobbyist and ensuring the Licensing Commission and the Northern Territory Government hear the community's views.

"In addressing enforcement of current legislation, Council will lobby the Government and Licensing Commission to include indigenous representation and provide better resources," Mayor Erlich said.

In the past two months Council has made some progress.

"We have already applied for funding to look at an alcohol awareness campaign in the print media and on TV," Mayor Erlich said.

A public awareness campaign will promote a culture of responsible drinking, protection of minors, good health and appropriate behaviour in public areas. Concerned about youth and underage drinking, Council supports a campaign that targets both parental responsibility and responsible serving practices. It also will promote the use of local languages in responsible drinking messages.

"Funding for education, treatment and intervention programs must be increased to ensure that current and new programs are appropriately resourced.," the Mayor said.

"Some of this funding should be sourced from the liquor industry.

"As far as the regulation of alcohol availability goes, it is largely in the hands of the Licensing Commission. Council does support the restriction of wine casks to two litres. Other measures may be required.

"Council believes that the strategies, when applied in full with the support of the community, agencies and other stakeholders, should make a significant contribution to lessening the negative impacts of alcohol on our community.

"The Hauritz report painted a picture of harm occurring to the whole community as a result of alcohol misuse. To minimise the harm, the whole community, must work together."

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