Alice Springs residents banned from lighting fires for 24 hours

Alice Springs residents have been slapped with a fire ban as bushfires threaten Yulara.

Northern Territory Police have issued two women with a notice to appear for their alleged involvement in the unauthorised sale of alcohol. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A 24-hour fire ban in Alice Springs is stopping residents from starting a fire on Saturday.

Bushfires NT chief fire control officer Tony Fuller and the NT Fire and Rescue Service director declared the ban from midnight to midnight for Saturday.

The banned zones include Simpson West, Lasseter East, and Lasseter West.

“No person shall light a fire or cause a fire to be lit in the open in the portion of the Northern Territory within the fire ban areas,” the warning said.

The warning came shortly before further bushfire advice for Yulara.

The fire was reported at 6pm on Thursday.

Bushfires NT at 7.45pm on Friday said the fire was spreading on “one or more fronts” and effective containment strategies were not in place for the entire perimeter.

“The fire is burning in vegetation,” a duty officer wrote.

“For the safety of firefighting crews and other vehicles, drivers in the area are urged to slow down, turn on headlights and drive safely for the conditions.”

It was expected the situation could continue until 8pm on Saturday.

Speeding driver too drunk for breath test

A 30-year-old man allegedly driving 49km/h over the speed limit in Alice Springs was unable to provide a second breath test “due to the level of his intoxication”.

NT Police said Southern Traffic Operations detected the speeding driver at 2.30am on February 12.

Police alleged the man was driving 89km/h in a 40km/h zone.

They alleged the vehicle was pulled over and police breath-tested the man, where he tested positive.

Police said he was unable to complete a second breath test when he was conveyed to the Alice Springs Watch House due to the level of his intoxication.

The man was charged for failing to supply a sufficient sample of breath for breath analysis and driving at a dangerous speed, exceeding the limit by 45km/h.

The man is due to appear in Alice Springs Local Court on March 1.

Senior Sergeant Rob Engels said the incident was a “frightening example of someone selfishly putting everyone on our roads at risk”.

“This person has not only made the terrible and dangerous decision to drive whilst intoxicated, he has then sped along a heavily used street at more than twice the speed limit,” he said.

“Random breath testing and speed detection will be continuing on Territory Roads as we continue to work to combat the Fatal Five and support good driver behaviours.

“Speak up to stop friends and family drink driving.

“You may just be saving their lives.”

Man busted driving unregistered car while drunk

A man in Alice Springs allegedly drove an unregistered vehicle and was drunk when police pulled him over.

NT Police alleged the Southern Traffic Operations Unit pulled the 30-year-old man over on Scott Tce after 10am on Friday.

They said he had been targeted because an automated number plate recognition alert indicated the man’s car was allegedly unregistered and uninsured since late last year.

Police alleged the man was “visibly intoxicated” when spoken to and exceeded the legal limit by more than three times.

They said the man was subject to a licence disqualification of five years.

He was charged with driving with high range breath alcohol concentration, driving a motor vehicle while disqualified, driving an uninsured motor vehicle and driving an unregistered motor vehicle.

He is expected to appear in Alice Springs Local Court at a later date.

Sergeant Conan Robertson said automated number plate technology alerts police if vehicles are unregistered or uninsured.

“On this occasion the unregistered and uninsured car was just the start, this driver’s recklessness included a level of drunkenness that puts all road users at risk, not by mistake it was a thoughtless and selfish decision,” he said.

“The car had 4 occupants and it is frustrating that people continue to get into vehicles with drink drivers, we can no longer accept this from friends and family, we must work together as a community to stop it.”

Women charged over alleged Alice Springs black market grog trade

Two women have been charged for their alleged involvement in the illicit black market alcohol trade in Alice Springs.

Police executed a search warrant at a home in Gillen on Monday.

There they found a quantity of alcohol and cash believed to be related to the illegal sale of the substance.

The Southern Alcohol Policing Unit issued two women, aged 29 and 46, with a notice to appear for their alleged involvement in the illicit sale of alcohol.

The pair were also issued a Banned Drinker Order under the Alcohol Harm Reduction Act 2017, which bans them from purchasing or consuming alcohol in the NT for the three months.

Senior Sergeant Alex Brennan called for people with information on the illegal supply of alcohol and drugs to talk to police.

“The unauthorised sale of liquor is an offence punishable by 3 years imprisonment,” Sergeant Brennan said.

“Any person charged with an offence involving liquor are also subject to a banned drinker order.

“Operation Drina continues to actively target any anti-social behaviour within the community.

“To date, a total of 1828 litres of liquor has been seized and destroyed and a further 74 banning notices from the Alice Springs Liquor Act declared area.

“Anyone with information on the supply of alcohol or drugs to our communities can call police on 131 444 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”