On 27 September 2007, the Director of Liquor Licensing released his decision regarding the sale of take-away alcohol from the Fitzroy Crossing Inn in Fitzroy Crossing. It was his finding that as of 2 October 2007 the following restriction would be imposed for six months:

The sale of packaged liquor, exceeding a concentration of ethanol in liquor of 2.7 percent at 20 degrees Celcius, is prohibited to any person, other than a lodger (as defined in section 3 of the Act).

In October 2007, the Fitzroy Valley Alcohol and Other Drug Management Committee requested the Drug and Alcohol Office (DAO) to develop an interim report which would identify some of the initial impacts of the liquor restriction after three months. DAO subsequently contracted the University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA) to undertake further qualitative evaluation which would analyse the perceptions, views and opinions of people and organisations in Fitzroy Crossing and Fitzroy Valley communities, in relation to the effects of alcohol use, both prior to, and since the introduction of the liquor restriction.

This report brings together early quantitative data collected and analysed by DAO, current quantitative data subsequently released and the findings of the qualitative data collection. The report presents this evaluation of data in a format that allows for comparison or contrast of the quantitative data and the qualitative ‘stories’ of the people.

The quantitative data collection covers the period October 2007 to February 2008. The qualitative data collection covers the period January to February 2008. In addition, the report describes the evaluation process, information gathered through current statistics and interviews, outlines significant concerns, key issues, future challenges for Fitzroy Crossing and Fitzroy Valley communities and a conclusion. The Drug and Alcohol Office did not require recommendations.

Click here to download the report