Town Organisations Forum

Forum Report

This report summarises the key discussion points and community solutions suggested by participants at the Stakeholder Forum held in Alice Springs on 22 June 2007.

Alcohol management

A large part of the discussion at this stakeholder forum was focused on the antisocial behaviours arising from alcohol abuse.

A representative from the Department of Justice provided a brief overview of the Dry Areas legislation. It was felt by some participants that the Alcohol Court would not work unless it is supported by an effective ID system. There was agreement amongst participants that intervention should occur as early as possible to support people at risk.

Some participants felt that, no matter what measures or support were put in place, a small group of repeat offenders are unlikely to change their behaviours.

However, participants all agree that there is an opportunity to educate young people, parents and families about responsible drinking.

Participants also discussed a range of issues around introducing further restrictions on the purchase of alcohol across the whole Alice Springs community. The key discussion points were:

  • From previous personal experience, some participants felt that further restrictions would not work. It was felt that people will find a way to obtain alcohol illegally.
  • There were concerns that restrictions on alcohol purchase could lead to other forms of substance abuse.
  • Alcohol abuse was considered by some participants as primarily an individual’s problem.

It was felt that penalties should apply to individuals, and the whole community should not be restricted because of a small number of repeat offenders – “the community should not have to give up the freedom”. It was felt that imposing more restrictions will affect “the lifestyle of Alice Springs”.

  • The Dry Areas legislation relates primarily to the consumption of alcohol. Any proposal to restrict the purchase of alcohol is complementary to the Dry Areas legislation.
  • Consuming alcohol should be considered a privilege, not a right.
  • Restricting the purchase of alcohol in Alice Springs could have a detrimental effect on the tourism industry in Alice Springs.

Community solutions suggested by participants include:

  • A workable ID (licence or permit system) for the consumption of alcohol. As part of this process, people will be required to receive and be tested on information on responsible drinking and the law
  • Responsible drinking should become a core part of education for young people
  • Active policing and targeting of the small group of repeat offenders who are not abiding by the law – 90% of people in town are responsible drinkers.
  • Improve support for people with alcohol problems, such as rehabilitation, support for work and Return to Country
  • Establish a safe, secure and caring rehabilitation centre out of town, e.g. farm-style or controlled boarding house for juvenile offenders, where people can be treated and learn skills for work and re-integrate into mainstream society.
  • Rehabilitation is fundamental to recovery from alcohol abuse and should be mandatory.
  • Compulsory drug and alcohol education for young people. This is currently operating in schools between Years 4 – 7.

Urban drift

There was general agreement that urban drift will continue to occur in Alice Springs. Alice Springs is a service town for rural and remote communities.

It was felt that antisocial behaviours, such as loitering on the streets, were exacerbated by the lack of short term accommodation in town and transport back to country.

Community solutions suggested by participants include:

  • Designate ‘no go zones’ and areas where camping out is acceptable.
  • Improve short term accommodation in town. People need to understand that this type of accommodation is only for temporary visits in town.
  • Improve transport, e.g. Bush Bus or Return to Country for visitors and people released from prison.
  • Integrate and coordinate existing government strategies and programs to address issues relating to urban drift.
  • Integrate people arriving from rural and regional communities into the Alice Springs community.

Community Safety – monitoring and security

There was general agreement that the proposals to install CCTV, Operation CitySafe and foot patrols have improved the overall community safety in Alice Springs.

Business participants discussed the benefits of CCTV to monitor activities in the CBD. Real-time monitoring of the CCTV footage was considered beneficial in responding to issues at the earliest opportunity.

These participants also expressed that, prior to the Alice Springs Town Council’s decision to install CCTV, a group of businesses were prepared to invest in installing a number of CCTV in the CBD to improve community safety.

Other community solutions suggested by participants include:

  • Empowering and training Indigenous people to become mentors for individuals at risk. This is seen as a positive approach because there may be perceptions amongst some communities that the police are the enemy.
  • Extension of Night Patrol to Community Patrol to provide low-level monitoring.

Visioning Alice Springs

Participants were asked to describe what Alice Springs will look like in 10 years time if measures were put in place to address antisocial behaviours. They include:

  • Positive morale and a ‘can change’ attitude
  • Greater community input and ownership
  • Greater take-up of new business opportunities and investment in town
  • Economic growth
  • Vibrancy in the town centre
  • Night-time trading in the mall
  • Less restrictions and more freedom
  • Alice Springs regarded as the “Heart of the Territory”
  • A town of opportunity
  • A gathering of Indigenous people in the town centre would be viewed as a positive thing as Indigenous people are a key part of the Alice Springs community.