General News
27 October, 2025
Booze ban across city
A BAN on sales of cheap cask wine until 4pm is to be extended across the Cairns local government area north and south of the CBD.
But the newly-established ‘Suburban Cairns Liquor Accord’ will only be voluntary.
The accord is a voluntary partnership between licensees, the council, police and community groups and has agreed that the sale of low-priced cask wine will be prohibited before 4pm daily across participating licensed bottle shops and venues.
Member for Barron River Bree James said local licensees had expressed support for the move, citing its potential to improve venue safety, reduce incidents of violence and foster a more friendly hospitality sector.
“This new accord represents a significant step toward creating safer communities and supporting responsible service of alcohol,” she said.
“There has been a significant increase of public intoxication and antisocial behaviour in the Northern Beaches, as a result of displacement effects due to the liquor restrictions in the city.
“By establishing the new accord we are delivering targeted localised solutions for the people of Cairns.”
The rise in public drunkenness and anti-social behaviour is believed to be sparked by people using 50 cent bus fares to travel to areas where the 4pm ban has not existed.
It has also resulted in bus drivers being abused by intoxicated passengers as well as tourists and visitors at popular places such as Palm Cove and Trinity Beach before midday.
Accord president Matthew Cork, who is leading the initiative and is also president of Tourism Palm Cove, said the accord represented a pre-emptive approach to maintaining Cairns’ reputation as one of Australia’s safest and most welcoming tropical destinations.
“This accord is about partnership – venues, police, council and community working together to keep our suburbs and beaches safe, enjoyable and family-friendly,” he said.
“We want to ensure that whether you’re dining in Palm Cove, enjoying a local pub in Edmonton or relaxing by he beach in Trinity, every experience reflects responsible service and genuine tropical hospitality.”
Member for Mulgrave Terry James said selling cheap alcohol in the Mulgrave electorate had resulted in a significant rise in antisocial behaviour.
“This change will significantly help with an issue that is plaguing our region,” he said.
Deputy Mayor Brett Olds, whose division covers from Trinity Park north to Ellis Beach, said it was “welcome news for a lot of Northern Beaches folk, who have been putting up with anti-social issues for way too long because of these groups heading out our way to get their hands on cheap alcohol as early as possible”.
