The Aboriginal community of Kalumburu in the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley will be declared a liquor restricted area from 4 March in a bid to reduce alcohol-related harm in the community.
Responding to the concerns of the public and Kalumburu community leaders, Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia ordered the ban under section 175 of the Liquor Control Act 1988.
The ban applies to a 20-kilometre radius around the Kalumburu community, and will make it an offence to sell/supply and possess or bring liquor into the community – enforceable by local police.
Tourists passing through the restricted area to use nearby camping grounds will not be affected.
The restriction comes following requests from community leaders to introduce regulations that minimise alcohol-related harm in their community.
The Minister visited Kalumburu earlier this year to consult with community representatives, on the proposed restriction, who were supportive of the move as an effective way of reducing social and physical harm related to excessive alcohol consumption.
The proposal was also supported by both WA Police and the Shire, with the restrictions to be in place for the next three years.