All NT communities previously subject to alcohol restrictions under the Commonwealth’s Stronger Futures legislation will revert to dry areas, with amendments to the Liquor Act 2019 coming into effect today, establishing the Interim Alcohol Protected Area Opt-out Model.

The Interim Alcohol Protected Area Opt-out Model supports a recommendation of the Central Australian Regional Controller’s initial progress report PDF (499.3 KB) which was presented to the NT Government and Commonwealth governments earlier this month.

Communities that were already an Interim Alcohol Protected Area under the old model area are automatically covered by the new opt-out model. They will remain dry and will not need to do anything.

Communities that are a General Restricted Area are also not affected and do not need to do anything.

If a community wishes to opt-out of the new model, it can make an application to the Director of Liquor Licensing that satisfies the following criteria:

• the community has a satisfactory community alcohol plan
• at least 60 per cent of adults who reside in the area support the community alcohol plan
• the application contains the signed consent of the registered owner/s of the land
• the Director is satisfied that based on the information provided, the revocation of an Interim Alcohol Protected Area is in the public interest, and will not have significant adverse impacts on the community.

The Director will also consult on the decision with NT Police, NT Health and other healthcare providers, and any other stakeholders considered relevant.

Government will continue to provide support and guidance on the changes to communities and stakeholders over the coming weeks.

Further information on the changes will be published on the NT Government Alcohol in the NT page.