When travelling the Cape please be aware that alcohol restrictions, including the type and quantity of liquor, apply to various remote Indigenous communities surrounding Weipa. This is an early intervention strategy to address alcohol-related crime and violence in Indigenous communities. Click here to be directed to the QLD Government website which lists the restrictions applicable to each community on the Cape. It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the restrictions for each area as large fines apply to offending parties.  

Alcohol Reforms are developed by Community Justice Groups and contain recommendations for declaring all or part of a community area a Restricted Area and/or a Dry Place.

Restricted Areas

A Restricted Area restricts the carriage of alcohol within a defined area.

When a Restricted Area is declared by law, a limit is set on the type and quantity of liquor that can be carried within the Restricted Area. There may be a zero limit, prohibiting the cartage of any liquor in the Restricted Area, or alternatively, a carriage limit may be set specifying the amount and type of liquor which may be carried in the Restricted Area.

Dry Places

A Dry Place is an area where a person cannot drink or carry alcohol. An offence is committed if a person does either if these things in a Dry Place.

A Community Justice Group can declare any place in their community to be 'dry' except private places such as houses and traditional owners 'out-stations'. Private places can only be declared dry at the occupier's request. A Community Justice Group must give notice and call for submissions and objections before it can declare a Dry Place.