Alcohol-related emergencies in Mount Isa trigger concerns over NT grog ban border crossings

Concerns are growing that an alcohol ban in Northern Territory is sending people over the border to Queensland, contributing to high numbers of alcohol-related hospital emergencies. But the plan for our own alcohol restrictions has hit a snag.

Alcohol-related hospital emergencies in Mount Isa are worse than the Queensland average with dozens being treated every month, as the debate for drink restrictions in the crime-riddled town hits a snag.

It comes amid growing concern people are moving across the border from the Northern Territory to Queensland to take advantage of the loose grog laws after the state government ruled out backing a pitch by regional North Queensland mayors for a banned alcohol register, saying it was “impractical”.

New Queensland Health figures obtained by The Courier-Mail show more than 50 people every month have been brought to Mount Isa Hospital with “alcohol-related” emergencies since July last year, totalling to more than 400 presentations.

The number of these presentations has risen by almost 80 presentations since the same period in 2021-22, or three more people every week.

In Queensland, less than 0.75 per cent of all emergency department presentations between July last year and February this year were related to alcohol.

But in Mount Isa, it was more than 2 per cent, or about 51 presentations each month, in a town of just 18,000.

Mount Isa mayor Cr Slade said the statistics were proof that urgent change was needed in their city.

Alcohol-related hospital emergencies in Mount Isa are worse than the Queensland average. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I’ve talked to the pubs and clubs in Mount Isa and they definitely think (a BAR) is the answer, or at least the answer for now, until we find a solution,” Cr Slade said.

Last month, deputy premier Stephen Miles dismissed a proposal for a BAR in Townsville, Mount Isa and Cairns by the regions’ mayors, Jenny Hill, Danielle Slade and Bob Manning.

The measure is already in place in parts of the Northern Territory, and there are concerns people are moving across the border to Queensland to take advantage of the loose grog laws since strict regulations were put in place in Alice Springs in January.

Since then, Queensland Police data showed liquor offences in the Mount Isa District had skyrocketed from just one offence to 20 offences in March.

The data also showed assaults had increased in the district by almost 60 per cent since July last year, to 167 offences in March.

Cr Slade said such “drastic changes” to alcohol restrictions in the NT was causing huge issues for Isa.

“It really does move the problem somewhere else.

“It’s awful what’s happening, there’s women six or seven months pregnant walking around drunk, and they’re not from Isa.

“We need some solutions and the local government should be involved because they know their community best.”

Alcohol bans are in place in place in parts of the Northern Territory. (AAP Image/Xavier La Canna)

Services at the coal face like Riverbed Action Group Outreach and Support have also seen the increase of people over the years.

Since new alcohol bans came into Alice Springs, they’ve reported more than 600 people have been served breakfasts at the shelter on Burke St.

Mount Isa Catholic Parish priest Father Mick Lowcock said people came to Mount Isa for a variety of reasons, but the question was why they stayed.

“That’s really complex and on an individual basis, but the generalisation that has been characterised is because of the drinking laws and gambling laws here in Queensland.”

Mount Isa’s alcohol restrictions were loosely bound by a Liquor Accord between the establishments, but people regularly got around the rules.

But the Office of Liquor and Gaming said a BAR was off the table “at this time”, and Mr Miles said it was “impractical”.

But Cr Hill was optimistic the door was still open for their idea.

“I’m hopeful that if we have got good data particulars coming out of the NT and a methodology that’s affordable we might be able to get them to reconsider,” she said.

The trio of mayors planned to meet with officials and discuss the proposal in more detail in the near future.

Originally published as Alcohol-related emergencies in Mount Isa trigger concerns over NT grog ban border crossings