NT Liquor Commission approves licensed club house for Wadeye – with caveats

A troubled Top End community is hoping to turn over a new leaf in 2025 with the opening of a licensed premises in town – but the project still has some hurdles to overcome. Find out what.

Wadeye from the sky. Picture: Jason Walls

Conditional approval for a licensed premises in a troubled Top End community has been granted by the Territory’s Liquor Commission, but there are still a few hurdles the project has to overcome before punters will be able to enjoy a beer in the clubhouse.

Wadeye could see the return of a licensed premises in the town in 2025, if Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy and NT Health chief executive Chris Hosking “are satisfied that alcohol-related harm in Wadeye has declined to a level that enables police and health services to be delivered consistently and safely to the Wadeye community,” the licence approval states.

Wadeye is currently a general restricted area, with a permit system allowing alcohol to be brought into town legally by 200 permit holders.

Murinbata Tribal Development Corporation chief executive Andrew Clark has been appointed the licensee for the premises.

A sign outside the community shop in Wadeye NT.

He’s hopeful the clubhouse could help the town turn over a new leaf in 2025 when it potentially opens in April, if construction is completed and the further approvals are gained.

“We sort of wanted to call it like a bit of a family centre sort of thing because when it’s not being used for having a beer, you can have birthday parties in there for kids or, you know, that sort of thing,” he said.

“Non drinkers can go there and play some pool or things like that.

“It’s not just a place for alcohol, it’s going to be used for other things as well, like holding meetings – it’s like a community hub.”

There was a licensed clubhouse in town until 1995, when it was shut by the Liquor Commission due to “repeated episodes of serious alcohol-related disorder and violence”.

The new licence was approved by Liquor Commission Chairperson Russell Goldflam in the beginning of December, after a hearing was held in the town in September.

Liquor Commission Chairperson Russell Goldflam.

Approval was granted with a number of “special conditions” which are set out in an eight page appendix.

Conditions include the premises only serving alcoholic beverages between 5pm and 8pm (or from 4pm on Saturdays), with last drinks called at 7.30pm.

Punters will only be able to get a maximum of six mid strength drinks – buying no more than three at a time – and must be a member of the club to purchase drinks.

A maximum of 200 people will be allowed in at time, after they’re screened for weapons. Anyone who tries to enter drunk could also be breath-tested.

Those who blow over 0.05 per cent BAC will be refused entry.

A minimum of two “crowd controllers” will be onsite during timeS when alcohol is available for purchase.

An NT Health spokesperson said the department was working with police to “identify a set of indicators of alcohol related harm for use to provide informed, ongoing advice with regards to the opening of a licensed clubhouse in Wadeye”.

“Community leaders will also be consulted as part of this process,” the spokesperson said.

“NT Health welcomes the opportunity provided by the Northern Territory Liquor Commission to talk with leaders of the community about how services can remain open and health staff safety remain protected, particularly during times of community unrest.”

A police spokesperson said police supported the licence being granted for the clubhouse.

Wadeye police station. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“The NT police force is working closely with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, other Wadeye service providers, local elders and the broader community to ensure the safety of residents,” the police spokesperson said.

“Alcohol abuse remains a leading risk factor in domestic and family violence, lives lost on the roads and a driver of property crime, community unrest and a myriad of other serious offences. Illicit supply of alcohol without a licence is also an ongoing issue in the West Daly Region. Care must be taken to ensure any decisions surrounding alcohol supply are properly considered.”

Mr Clark said the clubhouse “is not going to solve everyone’s problems” but was hopeful a licensed venue would provide a “more positive environment” for people to unwind and have an have an alcoholic beverage – without turning to the black market.

“Nothing’s nicer than knocking off work on a Friday afternoon or whatever and going having a beer with your co worker,” he said.

“The barriers come down and we become sort of a town, you know. That’s the idea behind (the clubhouse).”