Gascoyne banned drinkers register creeps up to 16, as other regions’ tallies soar amid new powers

Just 16 of the almost 600 people on banned drinkers registers in WA are in the Gascoyne, with locals pointing to drugs and other factors contributing to Carnarvon’s crime. Just four more people have been added to the Gascoyne BDR in the week up until Friday, despite new powers allowing police to put people on the register. Gascoyne’s total of 16 pales in comparison with the Kimberley’s 248 people, Pilbara’s 198 and Goldfields’ 136. The other regions’ tally have increased significantly since the police’s new powers came into effect last month. Anyone who commits alcohol-related offences inside or outside licenced venues can be served with a three month banned drinker order. On December 17 2023, three days after the new powers came into effect, there were six people on the Gascoyne’s BDR. Carnarvon was the target of some of the country’s toughest alcohol restrictions last May after a shocking booze-fuelled crime wave made Statewide headlines. The Statewide total of 598 people is more than double the number before the police powers came into force. The Gascoyne’s total represents 2.7 per cent of the State tally. North West Central MP Merome Beard said in most cases problem drinkers represented a minority of the community and the BDR was a tool the community had long been calling for. “We need to be mindful of the fact that these changes have only recently been introduced so may take some time before the numbers registered in Carnarvon reflect those in other towns that took part in the previous trial, relative to population sizes,” she said. “The implementation of the BDR needs to be supported with a comprehensive suite of wraparound services which are currently in deficit, such as safe houses for neglected children, refuges for women and men and rehabilitation centres.” Al’s Liquor Store owner Nathan Condo said the low uptake could point to crime being fuelled by other substances and the State Government needed to look beyond harsh alcohol restrictions to fix the root causes of these issues. “If people want to self-medicate, they’ll medicate,” he said. “They’ll find something else, they’ll go to other harder drugs that are not regulated.” Mr Condo called for the BDR to be introduced across the State to level out the playing field and stop problem drinkers from finding a way around the system. “It needs to be brought into every pub and club as well,” he said. A Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries spokesperson said the enhanced BDR was one of several measures used to protect West Australians from alcohol-related harm. A WA Police spokesperson said police would continue to apply the legislation where appropriate.