Community action on alcohol availability overview
The following toolkit provides a step-by-step approach to Community Action on Alcohol Availability, supporting your Local Drug Action Team (LDAT) and your community to take action to address local issues.
It can be used with other toolkits to support community activities to reduce alcohol harms or it can inform a standalone Community Action on Alcohol Availability Community Action Plan (CAP)
Community Action on Alcohol Availability refers to the involvement of local communities in issues related to alcohol harms and alcohol availability. This can include:
- creating awareness of alcohol-related harms and how they link to availability
- building capacity of organisations to respond to alcohol-related harms associated with alcohol availability
- supporting the community in making a submission relating to a proposed liquor licence
- involvement in local liquor licensing processes.
Communities can influence decision-making and make an objection in response to a liquor licence application.
This may involve communities objecting to proposed licences and asking that the licence either not be granted or be granted with certain conditions placed on it.
Reducing the availability of alcohol by participating in liquor licensing can help reduce harms from alcohol. The availability of alcohol is linked with levels of alcohol consumption, and associated harms.
Community Action on Alcohol Availability is most effective when communities are well organised and can show evidence of alcohol-related harm to inform decision makers.
The influence of community objections in liquor licensing decision-making is complex, evidence including local data will assist decision makers - but a submission may not lead to your desired outcome.
Toolkit Includes:
- Key points
- Drawing on existing programs
- Guiding principles
- Considerations for planning and delivery
- Community Action on Alcohol Availability toolkit: key activity and measuring success
- Community Action on Alcohol Availability toolkit: key steps