North Australian FISH FINDER TM forums

A proposal to expand the Ngukurr liquor-free area to cover a large portion of the Roper River region would adversely affect fishing tourism, AFANT has warned.
The claim follows an application to the Liquor Commission for the entire Yugui Mangi Council region to be made an alcohol-rectricted area.
AFANT president Warren de With said the self-drive tourism market had already been hit by high fuel prices, and a grog ban could have a profound affect.
"If people can't stay in remote Territory fishing camps and enjoy a cold beer, these camps are going to lose business," he said.
"And if the dry line is moved out of Ngukurr it means some people will pull up at the dry line with their beer, drink it on the spot and then attempt to drive.
"Who will be responsible for subsequent deaths on the road?
"Moving the dry area out of Ngukurr is not how to solve the problem - I believe they should be moving the dry line closer to Ngukurr."
The restricted area boundary is now at Roper Bar, a potentially beautiful area marred by litter consisting mainly of beer cans.
"AFANT is concerned about losing the tourism potential of the Roper River area - what we are facing will amount to an alcohol ban on the region's premier tourist drive,'' he said.
"People who want to visit the Roper, Towns, Limmen, Cox and Rose Rivers will be affected.
"Imagine people going to the Limmen Bight Fishing Camp for an extended stay without being allowed to have a drink - it won't happen - they'll stay away in droves."
The application to the Liquor Commission said people were drinking on the the south bank of the Roper River and then swimming to their homes on the north bank, putting them at risk of crocodile attack.
It also said tourists at Roper Bar were being humbugged by drinkers, and drinkers from Roper Bar were returning to the community while still drunk.