Liquor Restrictions within the Shire of Broome

About TAMS

The Takeaway Alcohol Management System (TAMS) is in play in the Shire of Broome and Derby.

The initiative, introduced by the Broome Liquor Accord in March 2020 and extended in November 2022, is aimed at reducing crime, violence and anti-social behaviour within the community due to the misuse of alcohol.

Although the State Government will manage the 24-month trial of a Banned Drinkers Register (BDR) and Takeaway Alcohol Management System (TAMS), the Shire has contributed $55,000 towards the initiative with a further $135,000 funding coming from the Kimberley Regional Group.

Under the system, photo identification will be required when purchasing takeaway alcohol. The ID will be scanned by a TAMS system, which monitors the amount of alcohol purchased over a 24-hour period.

As a strategy to reduce sly grogging, the Liquor Control Act 1988 was amended to insert new provisions that make it an offence for a person to carry large quantities of liquor, in prescribed areas of the State. Currently, the maximum permitted quantities of packaged liquor that can be purchased are:

  • 1 carton of beer, cider or pre-mixed spirits; or 
  • 3 bottles of wine; or
  • 1 litre of spirits; or
  • 1 litre of fortified wine; or
  • a combination of any two of (a), (b), (c) or (d), but not a combination of two of the same products.

The regulations allow for customers to carry a combination of two products as listed above in a vehicle.

Form December 5, 2022 the restrictions will be eased slightly to allow for:

Individual Liquor Sales

  • 2 x cartons of mid-strength beer (up to 3.5% alcohol); or
  • 1 x carton of full-strength beer, cider or premixed spirits; or
  • 6 x 750ml bottles of wine; or
  • 1 x 1.0-litre bottle of spirits; or
  • 1 x 1.0-litre of fortified wine

Combination Liquor Sales

  • 2 x cartons of mid-strength beer; or
  • 1 x carton of mid‐strength beer and 6 x 750ml bottles of wine; or
  • 1 x carton of full‐strength beer and 3 x 750ml bottles of wine; or
  • 1 x carton mid/full-strength beer and 1 x 1.0-litre of spirits/fortified wine

Measures have been included to ensure that tourism operators, pastoralists and those needing larger purchases for parties and events are provided for.

The Broome Liquor Accord meet together with the police, government departments and community groups will review data to see if the restrictions have an impact on alcohol-related harm in the community.

The Shire encourages community feedback on the system and queries relating to TAMS.

All feedback can be forwarded to shire@broome.wa.gov.au.

What is the Broome Liquor Accord?

The Broome Liquor Accord consists of representatives from WA Police, local retail licensees and the Shire of Broome, and is supported by a Community Advisory Group of care agencies in the community.

The Accord Chair is Broome Shire president Harold Tracey. 

News

Media release 

Media release - Voluntary liquor restrictions to continue in Broome

Media release - TAMS trial to start in Broome and Derby

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is a Takeaway Alcohol Management System?

A. A Takeaway Alcohol Management System (TAMS) is a simple scanning technology system that implements a daily alcohol purchase limit. The scanners use legal personal identification to allow licensees to register how much an individual has purchased on any given day, across all takeaway liquor outlets within the Shire of Broome.

Q. Why is TAMS being implemented?

A. The initiative is aimed at reducing crime, violence and anti-social behaviour within the community due to the misuse of alcohol.

Q. When will TAMS be implemented?

A. The TAMS technology is now installed and in 24-month hard trial.

Q. How will this affect me?

A. You will need to present an acceptable form of personal identification when purchasing liquor. There will be maximum quantities on the sale of packaged liquor.

Q. What are the daily alcohol purchase limits under TAMS?

A. The liquor restrictions will limit the daily purchase of alcohol to the following:

  • 1 carton of beer, cider or pre-mixed spirits; or
  • 3 bottles of wine; or
  • 1 litre of spirits; or
  • 1 litre of fortified wine; or
  • a combination of any two of (a), (b), (c) or (d), but not a combination of two of the same products.

The regulations allow for customers to carry a combination of two products as listed above in a vehicle.

Measures have been included to ensure that tourism operators, pastoralists and those needing larger purchases for parties and events are provided for.

Q. What identification will be accepted for the TAMS?

A. The sale and supply of alcohol in Western Australia is governed by the Liquor Control Act 1988. It is illegal to sell or supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 18 years on licensed premises. There are only three acceptable forms of photo identification (ID):

  • current Australian Driver's Licence with photograph.
  • current Passport.
  • current Australian Proof of Age card.

Q. What happens if I do not have any acceptable identification at the time of purchase?

A. You will not be permitted to purchase liquor unless you produce one of the following acceptable photo identification (ID):

  • current Australian Driver's Licence with photograph.
  • current Passport.
  • current Australian Proof of Age card.

Q. What if I do not have access to any acceptable forms of identification?

A. If you do not have access to any acceptable forms of identification you will not be able to purchase alcohol. You will need to obtain an acceptable form of identification.

Q. Can I purchase alcohol from more than one outlet?

A. The TAMS information is shared with all of the licensees which allows you to purchase your allocated amount of alcohol from more than one outlet.

Q. Will I be able to purchase larger amounts of alcohol if required, for example for a special event of party?

A. Yes. You will need to apply for an exemption through the WA Police.

Q. Will my personal information be stored within the system?

A. As the TAMS technology requires your information to identify you and the amount of alcohol you have purchased for that day to ensure limits aren’t exceeded, your information will be stored within the system until the end of that particular day. The information will then be erased. No personal information will be used for statistics.

Q. Will information be stored on the amount of alcohol I purchase?

A. Only for a period of up to 24 hours and it is only the amount that is registered (i.e. 24 bottles of beer or 1 x 750ml bottle of spirits).

Q. What happens if I attempt to purchase more than the amount allowed under the regulations?

A. The TAMS will show a red screen and that the purchase is not to proceed as the daily allowance has been exceeded. Service will be refused.