Liquour Permits

Special occasions can still be clebrated with alcohol as long as you have a special events permit.

The organisers of events such as those listed below can apply to the Licensing Commission for a permit that allows alcohol to be consumed in a public restricted area during the event or function.

• Public festivals
• Community and sporting events
• Weddings
• Fundraising activities and street parties

Permits are free of charge. Application forms can be downloaded by clicking on this link: Public Restricted Area Permit

Penalties

It is an offence to drink alcohol in a public restriced area without a permit.

Penalties for drinking alcohol without a permit include:

• Removal of alcohol
• a $100 fine
• A maximum fine of up to $500 if the matter proceeds to court

Repeat offenders, people who receive multiple fines or are the subject of a number of complaints made to Police, may appear before the Magistrates Court and be referred to the Alcohol Court. A repeat offender can be placed on a prohibition order, or ordered into some form of rehabilitation, or both.

The Liqour Supply Plan

The purpose of the Liquour Supply Plan is to focus on products with a high alcohol content. Under this plan, the following measures came into effect on 21 January 2008.

Trading Hours

No change for the Katherine Township for non-takeaway sales and the current "light beer" restriction before 12.00pm.

Current takeaway trading hours for Katherine (no change to Pine Creek, Mataranka or Victoria River)

Monday to Friday 2pm to 8pm

Saturday and Public Holidays 12 noon to 8pm (excludes Christmas Day and Good Friday)

Sunday Hotels: 2pm to 8pm Stores: Closed

Cask wine and fortified wine

No sales of containers larger than two (2) litres.

Takeaway sales limited to the hours of 2:00pm to 6:00pm only, (includes Stones Green Ginger Wine).

Takeaway purchase of cask wine and fortified wine limited to one (1) two (2) litre cask or one (1) bottle fortified wine per person per day.

Taxi Drivers

No drive through takeaway sales to taxi drivers on duty.

In Pubs, Clubs and Shops

No purchased takeaway products to be kept at pubs, clubs or shops for later collection.

Camera surveillance

To be installed and operated in the alcohol service areas of all store and takeaway licences.

Responsible Service of Alcohol

All staff serving alcohol must hold a Responsible Service of Alcohol Certificate within one month of starting employment or as soon as practicable after this time.

The Katherine Region

Takeaway conditions, except trading hours, to apply to all relevant premises in Katherine, Mataranka, Victoria River and Pine Creek.

Photo ID System

A photo ID system is being introduced in all licensed hotel and store takeaway outlets in the Katherine Region. This includes Mataranka, Victoria River and Pine Creek.

This is a genuine attempt to target problem drinkers. Everyone has to show photo ID but only people on prohibition orders or other court imposed restrictions have their details recorded in the system. These people will be unable to buy alcohol or certain types of alcohol (depending on their court orders).

The system accepts most common forms of photo ID such as driver's licences and passports. The system also accepts the NAJAA/KRALAS card, the 18+ card, as well as national identity cards from more than 50 countries.

The system will be in place from early 2008 and will be reviewed in 12 months.

The advantages of the photo ID system are:

• Only problem drinkers are targeted.
• The quick scanning process takes no more than a couple of seconds.
• It streamlines the collection of information required under the Federal Intervention.

Do you need ID?

You can obtain photo ID from the Motor Vehicle Registry office, or the North Australia Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA). Mission Australia can also help you with this process.

You may need a birth certificate before you can apply for other forms of ID. You can get an application from Births, Deaths and Marriages, but you will need to allow extra time for your application to be processed.

For more information, please call 8999 1800 or visit Department of Justice