Pubs band together to fight sly-grog trade

A GROUP of northern suburbs pubs have come together to prevent sly-grog trade by restricting the sale of cask wine

Linking arms against alcohol-related harm are Darwin Northern Suburbs Liquor Accord members Greg Crozier, left, Russell Reid and Devon Wright. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

A GROUP of northern suburbs pubs have come together to prevent sly-grog trade by restricting the sale of cask wine.

The measures, introduced by the Darwin Northern Suburbs Liquor Accord today, hope to reduce anti-social behaviour associated with alcohol consumption.

The restrictions include limiting the sale of cask wine to one per customer a day, restricting the sale of cask wine between noon and 7pm and no sales of cask wine products greater than two litres.

Bottleshop staff will also monitor and report suspicious sales.

The Banned Drinkers Register will be rolled out across the Territory on September 1.

President of the Accord and Casuarina Club manager Russell Reid said, collectively, the pubs involved wanted a united approach to tackling alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour.

“Alcohol-related anti-social behaviour has been an issue for some time and as group we felt there was an opportunity to work together to better control the sale of alcohol in order to minimise harm,” he said.

Christopher Quince from BWS Northern Territory said the measures outlined in the Accord would address the threat of sly-grog runners illegally selling on alcohol.

“We recognise the Banned Drinker’s Register will address many of the issues related to alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour,” he said.

“However, the Accord aims to address other important elements, including secondary supply, volume and pricing restrictions, as well as facilitating advice on crime prevention through environmental design.”

He said the group aimed to improve the sale of alcohol practices.

“We’d like to see every liquor outlet in the northern suburbs get on board.”

Anti-social behaviour has long been a problem in the northern suburbs, with businesses and residents forced to put up with noise, prostitution, drug dealing and break-ins, all which was highlighted in an exposé on Nightcliff Village in the NT News.