National

Alcohol restrictions continue in Alice Springs

By AAP Newswire

Apr 20, 2023

A file photo of Gregory Terrace in Alice Springs — Restrictions on buying alcohol in Alice Springs, introduced this year, are set to continue. -AAP Image

Restrictions on bottle shops in Alice Springs will be extended after hospital presentations plummeted since the measures were introduced.

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Laws regulating the sale of takeaway alcohol were introduced in February and alcohol-related emergency department presentations at Alice Springs Hospital have almost halved since then, the NT government said.

"Alcohol-related harm is one of the territory's biggest social challenges," Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said.

She has previously highlighted the complexities of regulating a legal product.

The restrictions mean people can only buy alcohol once a day, and the sale of takeaway alcoholic drinks is prohibited on Monday and Tuesday.

Alcohol can also only be sold from 3pm to 7pm, except on Saturdays.

The measures were introduced in response to increases in alcohol-related harm, in part attributed to the expiry of a number of long-running alcohol restrictions.

The latest police data shows alcohol-related assaults increased by nearly 70 per cent from 2021 to 2022.

Along with the alcohol restrictions announced in February, the NT government and federal government will invest $250 million in improving security and community services in Alice Springs and the region.