Darwin ‘wet camp’ for itinerants could be established by next dry season, as talks progress

Plans to establish a ‘wet camp’ in Darwin to monitor alcohol consumption and behaviour has moved a step closer, with talks between Larrakia Traditional Owners and out-of-town countrymen progressing.

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ESTABLISHING a wet camp in Darwin to monitor alcohol consumption and behaviour is a step closer with talks between Larrakia Traditional Owners and out-of-town countrymen progressing.

A hearing group for the facility is set to be formed comprising representatives from about 10 organisations.

Larrakia Nation chief executive Robert Cooper said a wet camp would encourage people to visit Darwin in a safe and supervised capacity.

“It’s not an open invitation for people out of town to indulge in drinking, it’s an opportunity for Larrakia people to express their right as Traditional Owners of the country and have community visitors stay in a safe place where they can monitor their drinking and their behaviour,” Mr Cooper said.

“People who want to come to Darwin and have a drink would be able to stay there – the existing visitor accommodation is dry.”

Mr Cooper said there would be a number of benefits to a wet camp in ensuring those using the facility would be safe and wouldn’t be problematic to themselves or the wider community.

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“We will be able to keep them safe for a start, then we’ll be able to talk to them one-on-one,” he said.

“That will lead to conversations about their behaviour with their drinking and the way they engage with the Larrakia while they’re here.”

Mr Cooper said ideally the wet camp would provide other services to those staying but what services they offered would be determined through consultation and the hearing group.

“It’ll be people services that people will need to be linked with while there, it might be Centrelink, Listen Australia, rehab, refuge, who knows,” he said.

“We’re still at the point of how it would operate, what it would look like, where it would be sited, who would run it and who the people staying there would be.

“I’d like to see it up and running before the next dry season.”

The development of the camp will be a public process with opportunities for the community to be involved the whole way through the process.

The hearing group will determine a location for the wet camp.

Originally published as Darwin ‘wet camp’ for itinerants could be established by next dry season, as talks progress