Alcohol-free premises increase

Three more houses joined Newman’s list of liquor-free premises last week.

A total of 12 houses in the town have now been officially declared alcohol-free by the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor.

Owner-occupiers can apply to have their house declared liquor- free if friends and relatives regularly cause trouble when drinking alcohol at the premises.

Newman police crime prevention and diversity officer, First Class Constable Kylie Ainger, said most of the houses were occupied by elderly community members who were embracing the positive change.

“We regularly check on them and ask how they are going, ” she said. “One elderly lady said it was the first time she had had a full night’s sleep in a long time.

“The houses are now safer for the grandchildren and daughters to be and we know if we drop kids off there won’t be drinkers there.”

First Class Const. Ainger said they had noticed a large reduction in jobs and anti-social behaviour in what were previously “hot spots”.

“Normally there is a reaction to any action, but we haven’t seen it yet, ” she said.

“From a police perspective, it has definitely helped us; we’ve noticed a huge reduction in jobs and we now have the power to destroy alcohol in those homes where previously it was hard as it was private property.”

She said a $200 infringement would be issued to people who attempted to bring alcohol into a liquor-restricted house.

Newman Women’s Shelter manager Maggie Lewis said although there were “ups and downs” with every program, this one had been a success so far.

The shelter donated reflective signs, while construction company Mahons Asset Management assisted by mounting the official notices onto wooden boards to prevent damage.

“Anything that leads to a reduction in family and domestic abuse is a good thing, ” Ms Lewis said.