New licensed sports club in Pormpuraaw

Treasurer and Liquor Licensing Minister Andrew Fraser has today announced that the Pormpuraaw United Brothers Sports Club had been granted a restricted club permit.

Mr Fraser said that under the terms of the permit the Pormpuraaw United Brothers Sports Club would be able open and operate a family friendly venue with full meal and two and a half hours of alcohol service Monday to Friday.

“The Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing considered the application carefully and determined to grant the restricted club permit on a three-month basis.

“The club will be able to commence operations from December 1, the same day the Pormpuraaw council divests its general licence,’’ he said.

“There will be two compliance officers from the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing in attendance when they commence trading to ensure they fully understand the requirements of their licence.

“An evaluation will be done at the end of the three months to assess the impact of trading on harm levels in the community. Should problems such as alcohol related violence arise, the restricted and temporary nature of this permit means OLGR can take immediate action.

Alcohol service will be limited to six cans of mid-strength beer per person. From January 1, this will be limited to light beer. Spirits and wine are banned.

A Restricted Club Permit (RCP) can be granted to a non-profit club for a period of between three and 12 months and allows up to 21 hours trade per week. After the permit expires, a club must reapply for a new permit. Takeaway sales are not permitted. Liquor may only be sold or supplied for consumption on the premises to members, members of another club with formal reciprocal rights and guests of a member or reciprocal member, in the member's company.

“This licence category is often applied to local amateur sports and leisure clubs such as the many suburban bowls or rugby league clubs located throughout Queensland,’’ Mr Fraser said.

“The only other Indigenous community club currently operating a licensed venue under an RCP is the Seisia Fishing Club in the Northern Penninsula Area, just outside of Bamaga.

“This type of licence has worked quite well for the fishing club in Seisia for the past four years and it is hoped it will be a good model for Pormpuraaw.

“The club in Pormpuraaw has some great plans in mind for the premises, including upgrading the facilities and introducing a smart card. It’s envisaged that this would identify non members or disqualified patrons to help enforce responsible service practices.

“Alcohol limits could also be programmed into the card.

“Pormpuraaw Council and the community justice group have been extremely pro-active when it comes to responsible alcohol management in the community. The council and CJG have eliminated takeaways from the canteen, phased out heavy strength beer prior to 1 July 2008 and limited mid strength beer to six cans per person.

“With committee members on the club board including a community justice group member, the senior nurse for the community, a manager from the women’s centre and an ex-Mayor, responsible service of alcohol will no doubt be high on the agenda.

“Under the club’s new constitution no serving councillors can be on the club committee.’’

Additionally From 1 December 2008 new conditions will be applied to the Lakeland Downs Hotel/Motel in Lakeland and the Quinkan Hotel in Laura.

Mr Fraser said that the two licensed premises are located on the gateway to the Cape, which is home to ten Indigenous communities

“These harm minimisation measures support the Premier’s Indigenous alcohol reforms package and are a result of on-going investigations conducted by the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing which identify the illicit source of alcohol supply to communities that are subject to alcohol restrictions.”

From 1 December 2008, the Lakeland Downs Hotel/Motel in Lakeland and the Quinkan Hotel in Laura will be subject to the following conditions:

• the licensee and staff must not knowingly sell alcohol prohibited in a restricted area to any person travelling to that restricted area
• takeaway sales of cask wine is prohibited
• takeaway sales of heavy strength beer is prohibited, except to registered overnight guests
• takeaway sales, except for registered overnight guests, are restricted to the following daily limit per person or per vehicle, or per group of persons travelling in the same vehicle
• two cartons (22.5 litres) of light or mid strength beer and
• one carton (9 litres) of pre-mixed spirits and
• 700 millilitres of spirits
• takeaway sales are prohibited after 8pm, except for registered overnight guests
• a bulk sales register must be kept for takeaway purchases where the sale combines more than one type of alcohol including beer, wine, pre-mixed spirits or spirits.

Media contacts:

Treasurer’s Office –3224 6361

Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing –3872 0826