Lockhart River alcohol ban ends after 14 years
Lockhart River has welcomed a new licensed social club to breathe life into the community that grappled with a blanket alcohol ban for the past 14 years. See how it is working.
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LOCKHART RIVER has welcomed a new licensed social club, an initiative designed to breathe life into the community that grappled with a blanket alcohol ban for the past 14 years.
Lockhart River Mayor Wayne Butcher said the venue’s atmosphere was “unreal” and signalled the return of an authentic community vibe to the town.
“As a community leader I was able to get around and speak to a lot of people,” he said.
“The reaction has been very positive. We’ve been getting a lot of comments about the young people working. Overnight we’ve created more jobs in the community.
“It’s also capacity building for our young people who sit on the social club board. They’re taking the responsibility in managing this business.”
The venue, which opened on Friday, sits inside a newly constructed building and includes a $100,000 commercial kitchen and facilities that allow it to host music concerts and social events.
It is managed by security personnel and RSA qualified catering staff. A modest limit on beverage purchases exists along with a membership card system and patrons are breath tested on entry.
Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council CEO David Clarke said the club served as a good example to coming generations of sensible social interaction and demonstrated a more mature approach to managing alcohol consumption in the community.
“We’ve fitted it out to be best practice. All the systems in place are similar to those at Cazalys or Brothers Leagues Club,” he said.
“Local artwork is built into the facility, stamping it as a real Lockhart River venue.
“We’re monitoring any adverse impacts very closely with a working group that includes the local police and health clinic.
Lockhart River came under an alcohol management plan more than a decade ago but black market alcohol sales and home brewed liquor, commonly known as “sly grog”, plagued the community.
Both Mr Butcher and Mr Clarke agreed this new approach discouraged those practices, as well as drunken and overcrowded vehicle journeys to towns such as Weipa where alcohol is permitted.
“Prohibition has never worked anywhere in the world. It’s human nature for people to get around these rules,” said Mr Butcher.
“We weren’t going to sit back and watch our community destroy itself. For the last 14 years, alcohol has been going into houses where vulnerable people are living. This new club takes alcohol out of that environment.”
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Originally published as Lockhart River alcohol ban ends after 14 years
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