Changing alcohol rules for your community
In most Aboriginal communities, unless allowed by permit, alcohol is banned.
Communities can choose to change alcohol rules with the support of the majority of adults from their community.
Alcohol in communities
Communities are either:
- an interim alcohol protected area (IAPA), or
- general restricted area (GRA).
IAPA community
IAPA communities have not yet made a decision on the future of alcohol in the community, alcohol remains banned.
GRA community
GRA communities have voted on the future of alcohol and have made a decision that alcohol is banned or allowed under certain conditions.
Community options
Communities that haven’t yet decided whether to become a GRA can:
- do nothing and alcohol stays banned under the law, or
- vote to become a GRA.
If a community chooses to become a GRA, it reflects the wishes of the majority of the adult residents on how alcohol is used in their community. This might mean:
- an alcohol ban is kept, or
- alcohol is allowed under some conditions.
The legislation also allows a community to apply to remove all alcohol restrictions. This is known as revoking the interim APA or opting out.
Apply to become a GRA or revoke an APA
Communities are encouraged to become a GRA.
Before you start
The Community Led Alcohol Harm Reduction Unit helps communities create a community alcohol plan DOCX (118.0 KB). These plans are needed to change or review alcohol restrictions.
The unit will also help the community plan on how they will:
- limit alcohol access
- keep demand for alcohol low
- reduce the risk of alcohol related harm.
Contact the unit by emailing clahru.health@nt.gov.au.
Make a plan with the community
Work with the Community Led Alcohol Harm Reduction Unit for guidance and help with:
- developing a community alcohol plan
- getting community support:
- you will need to get the support of 60% of the adults in your community
- if there are 50 people or less, you can get a signature from the adults showing 60% support.
- submitting an application to InterimAPA.Enquiries@nt.gov.au.
Complete the application form
The Community Led Alcohol Harm Reduction Unit will also help with this step.
Become a GRA
Get the fact sheet about general restricted areas (GRA) PDF (152.6 KB).
Complete the application with the harm reduction unit:
Revoke an interim IAPA status
Get the fact sheet on the interim APA opt-out model PDF (175.7 KB).
Complete the application with the harm reduction unit:
After you apply
The director of liquor licensing reviews applications.
GRA applications
The director of liquor licensing will:
- notify residents, licensees and any local councils of alcohol changes
- consult on the proposed restrictions with residents and councils
- provide a report to the Liquor Commission.
The Liquor Commission will review the report and decide whether to declare the community a GRA.
If approved, a notice of the decision will be published.
Revoking an IAPA
In most cases, revoking an APA will not be approved.
Before a decision is made the director of liquor licensing will consult with:
- commissioner for police
- NT Health
- health service providers for the residents of the area.
The director will determine if your application:
- is in the public interest, and
- will not have an adverse impact on your community.