Kowanyama

Restricted area

The Kowanyama restricted area is the Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire including all public and private places. This includes the Errk Oykangand National Park (formerly known as the Mitchell-Alice Rivers National Park) and the Mitchell River and:

  • the northern sides of Topsy Creek
  • the northern and southern sides of Coleman River.

The rest of the Topsy Creek waterway and the other parts of the Coleman River are not part of the restricted area.

It is an offence to drink in a public place anywhere in Queensland.

Alcohol restrictions

The maximum amount of alcohol that a person can carry in Kowanyama Shire is:

  • 2.25 litres of liquor (the equivalent of 6 x 375ml cans), with an alcohol concentration of less than 4% alcohol by volume.

This amount is per person on foot or per vehicle, boat or aircraft regardless of the number of people in it.

One licensed premise has a Community Liquor Permit – the Kowanyama Sports and Recreation Association Club. Alcohol is limited to takeaway sales from the club of light to mid-strength beer or pre-mixed alcohol less than 4% only.

There is no on-premises consumption of alcohol at the club. Specific club membership rules apply.

Penalties

Maximum penalties for possessing illegal alcohol in the restricted area are:

  • first offence 375 penalty units (currently $50,043)
  • second offence 525 penalty units (currently $70,061) or 6 months imprisonment
  • third or subsequent offence 750 penalty units (currently $100,087) or 18 months imprisonment.

Vehicles found carrying alcohol above the set quantity in the restricted area may be confiscated.

It is also an offence to attempt to bring alcohol into the restricted area. The maximum penalty for this offence is 375 penalty units (currently $50,043).

The maximum penalty for possessing alcohol in a dry place is 19 penalty units (currently $2,535).

These penalties apply to all people living in, travelling through, visiting or working in the restricted area.

The penalty unit from 1 July 2019 is $133.45.

Sly grog

It is illegal to sell alcohol without a licence or permit (sly grog) in Queensland. Penalties apply.

To report incidents of sly grog phone the confidential Sly Grog Hotline on 1800 500 815.

Additional conditions

The carriage limit and takeaway arrangements are temporary, expiring at midnight on 31 December 2020.

The zero carriage limit will be reinstated on 1 January 2021.

Further, in the following situations the carriage limit and takeaway arrangements will cease:

  • if the club reopens for on-premises alcohol consumption

or

  • if it is determined there are risks to community health or safety.

More information

Read about Alcohol Management Plans or email ltc@datsip.qld.gov.au for more information.

Further information

Call 13 QGOV (13 7468) for more information about alcohol limits