07 Alice Springs Alcohol Reference Group - Meeting 8 Minutes 17 February 2015

Minutes –17 February 2015

Minutes

Meeting # 8 – 17 February2015 @ 11.00am

Department of Business, Conference Room, 1st floor, Green Well Building

Meeting Chair / Damien Ryan, Mayor of Alice Springs
Present / John Boffa, Health Sector
Di Loechel, Aust. Hotels Assoc.
Eileen Hoosan & Philip Allnut, NGO AOD Sector
Michael Liddle, Traditional Owners of Alice Springs
Kay Eade, Business Sector
Jeff Huyben, Tourism
Matthew Osbourne and Kay Attard, Liquor Stores and Supermarkets
Jane Alley, NTG
Des O’Brien (Secretariat)
Apologies / Dale Wakefield, Women, Children and Families

1Welcome

Meeting started at 11.00am.

The Chair welcomed and thanked the Alcohol Reference Group (ARG) members for attending.

There are no Minutes to accept as the December ARG meeting was a strategic workshop.

The Chair provided a report on the outcomes of a recent meeting between the ARG Chair and the Tangentyere Executive committee. Separately the ARG Chair and Michael Liddle meet with local Aboriginal organisations to discuss the AMP. The Chair updated members on issues discussed at this the meeting.

The Chair asked members if they had received community/sector feedback. Comments include:

Residents want the Temporary Beat Location (TBL) to remain until an alternative is found
There are mixed emotions regarding the TBLs amongst takeaway licensees. Some licenseeswant the TBLs to remain, partly due to recentincidents of violence occurring when TBLs have not been operating.
That the Alice Springs Alcohol Management Plan (AMP) acknowledges the town camp AMP(s)
People questioned the sustainability of the TBLs, including the NTPolice workforce retention
Recent inconsistency of operating the TBLs has resulted in the TBLs operating on some outlets whilst other outlets don’t have them operating. Also, the TBLs don’t seem to be operating during opening hours as was previously the case.
People acknowledged that without TBLs operating on all outlets, that the strategy is ineffective
Youth Sector – Jane and Des reported on the meeting held yesterday with the Chair of the Youth Justice Network. The Chair provided input and feedback on the Youth strategies in the draft AMP. This has been included in the new draft AMP, which has been provided to the ARG today. It was suggested by the Youth Justice Network that Jane and Des attend their March meeting. Post this meeting, the AMP will reflect relevant strategies ready for presentation at the March ARG.

2Alcohol Management Plan

The Chair and members went through items in the draft AMP. Members spoke about each strategy, including any amendments, identified gaps and suggested solutions. Several suggestions were put forward and the Secretariat amended the AMP to reflect the suggestions.

Discussion arose around the link between the current research and alcohol management planning done with town camps and its impact on the Alice Springs AMP. It was suggested that Tangentyerebe invited to be represented on the Alice Springs ARG. Agreement was reached to proceed. The Terms of Reference allows for this.

Action:The Chair and Secretariat to follow up and seek formal support from the Minister re Tangentyere Council being a member of the ARG. In the meantime, the Chair will invite Tangentyere to the next ARG.

Action: The Secretariat will revise the AMP and send the revised document to members for comment.The Secretariat to follow up on each member’s comments, in particular with members not present today.

3Other Business

Next Meeting:dates for the March meeting will be sent out to members. The March ARG will follow on from the Youth Justice Network meeting.

Meeting closed 1.00pm.

Department of Business1