Community endorses alcohol ban
Cheeditha Aboriginal Community will be declared legally alcohol free in just a few months following a request by residents to the State Government.
The move will see section 175 of the Liquor Control Act implemented criminalising the sale, supply and possession of alcohol within a 500m radius of Cheeditha.
Racing and Gaming Minister Terry Waldron last week visited the community to speak with residents before signing off on the plan which will now take about two months to implement.
Mr Waldron said it was important to ensure the entire community was behind the move before it was introduced.
“I took time to walk around and speak to different groups within the community and it seems unanimous, I haven’t had anyone raise any queries against it,” he said.
“There is certainly great support and great support from the leadership with gives me confidence that this will work into the future.”
The restrictions give police the power to seize and dispose of opened or unopened liquor containers throughout the community while people in breach of the restrictions face up to $2000 in fines.
“The community representatives said they considered these restrictions the most effective way of reducing the amount of alcohol-related harm and illhealth in the community,” he said.
Cheeditha Community chairman Stanley Warrie said he hoped the move would settle the community down and help improve education for young people.
