‘We have to do something, doing nothing is not a solution’: Council bans grog at Mindil Beach with exception of special events

Consumption of alcohol has been banned at Mindil Beach by Darwin council tonight with the exception of special events.

ALCOHOL has been banned at Mindil Beach with the exception of special events and the Mindil Beach Markets.

Tuesday night’s Darwin Council decision comes after Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis told aldermen about reports of people “loaded with money” who were “very aggressive” drinking in the reserve, with police pouring out as much as 70L of alcohol one day last week.

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Mr Vatskalis said he’d spoken to Larrakia Nation and NT Police Superintendent Daniel Shean about how they could work together to improve safety in the municipality.

“At least if we do our bit we can ask the police what (they are doing),” he said. “We have to do something, doing nothing is not a solution.”

However, Alderman Justine Glover said she didn’t think it would solve the issue, with the whole community and tourists being punished by what the Lord Mayor said was “a small cohort” of people drinking outside the 5pm-9pm curfew.

“We have the best tourist season coming up and that’s one of the best places for people to have a drink … this influx of tourists are going to miss out on a great way of enjoying Mindil Beach,” she said.

A report on reducing anti-social behaviour in the municipality will be returned to council in the coming months.