Alcohol restrictions to begin in Darwin

DRINKERS in Darwin's CBD will face new restrictions from Friday night.

From this weekend, shots will not be served after 1am, shots with an alcohol content greater than 51 per cent will not be served, and a four-drink limit per patron will be enforced during happy hours and after midnight to prevent stockpiling of drinks.

The NT government has also introduced paperless arrests to process troublemakers quickly.

The regulations were developed by the Australian Hotels Association through the Darwin CBD Liquor Accord, but licensees have only signed up to enforce them on a voluntary basis.

The move comes the same week new anti-social drinking legislation in NSW has come into force, but the NT government insists it is not following in its footsteps.

Earlier lock-out times were rejected by the AHA and Accord members with the government's support.

"We've seen what's going on in other parts of the country, and whilst earlier lock outs might work in places like Newcastle, they've certainly proved a failure in other parts of the country," Minister for Alcohol Policy, Dave Tollner, told reporters in Darwin on Thursday.

"We're not saying that what they're doing in Newcastle is wrong, we're saying the NT doesn't have the same situation."

Mr Tollner said the government was happy to see the industry self-regulating.

"Licensees are the ones with the most to win or to lose with problem drinkers; I think it's absolutely appropriate that licensees are seen as part of the solution," he said.

Businesses who elected not to sign up would be scrutinised to see how the changes would affect their customers, Mr Tollner said.

"Darwin itself doesn't have an alcohol problem, what we have is individuals with alcohol problems, and all these measures (are) cracking down and targeting those individuals who come out and make life difficult for everyone else."

Licensees are expecting business as usual this weekend, says Justin Coleman, spokesman for the AHA NT.

"It will be a small inconvenience for some, but I think people will understand why we've brought these measures in, and I think it will be pretty flawless," he said.

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