The South Australian city of Whyalla is set to trial restrictions on the sale of four-litre and five-litre wine casks and all fortified wine and port casks.
Coming into place from the middle of the month, the trial will take place over a three-month period in an attempt to reduce anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related harm in Whyalla and surrounding areas.
The trial restrictions were considered by the Whyalla Liquor Accord, which involves local liquor licensees, South Australia Police, liquor and gambling regulator Consumer and Business Services and the Whyalla City Council.
Brett Humphrey, Commissioner for Liquor and Gambling, says: “Anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related harm are a whole of community problem, and the action we can take from a liquor licensing perspective is limited – but it can make a difference.
“Every community is different, and measures that work in some regions don’t necessarily work well in others. Trialling these changes for three months will help us get an indication of whether limiting the sale of cask wine has an impact on the issues confronting Whyalla.”
Michael Waters, Retail Drinks Australia CEO, told National Liquor News: “Retail Drinks welcomes the adoption of a targeted approach towards liquor-related issues and the implementation of community-led measures, such as the trial of cask wine restrictions in Whyalla.
“We look forward to monitoring the results of this trial and working in collaboration with the South Australia Government, including with the new Commissioner of Consumer and Business Services, Brett Humphrey, as this trial rolls out.”
The trial will begin on 14 April and end on 18 July, with Consumer and Business Services set to review data from licensees and authorities in the months ahead and determine the next steps.