An $8.9 million plan to tackle the long-term problem of itinerant Aboriginal people engaging in drunken, anti-social behaviour on Darwin's streets will work where other policies have failed, Northern Territory Chief Michael Gunner says.
The NT Labor government says it's the "most significant plan in history" to tackle anti-social behaviour in Darwin.
"The CLP (Country Liberal Party) alcohol mandatory treatment didn't work, it is important to have policies that do work," Mr Gunner told reporters.
"We have been consulting with the business community, stakeholders that work in this space about the programs they have got that do work and we spoke to those people sleeping rough about what they need to get on to a better path.
"It is grounded in good consultations and good research."
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The Larrakia Nation - representing indigenous people from Darwin - day patrol cars will increase from one to five along with increases in staff and operating hours.
The service returns people to their home communities in the outback or takes them to rehabilitation support such as the Sobering Up Shelter. .
Other measures include a mobile phone app and SMS service to report anti-social behaviour but that will not be ready until early 2019.
The Mission Australia-operated Sobering Up Shelter will now operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Three new centres will open to support people who are sleeping rough or at risk offering on-site case workers.
The number of beds at the Darwin YMCA will also increase.
The police would have a more visible presence, the government said.
Mr Gunner said there was no simple fix and the latest plan builds on reforms to youth justice and child protection following the royal commission and controversial alcohol reforms including a floor price, steep liquor licence fees for traders and the Banned Drinkers Register.
The measures were designed "to make our streets, homes and businesses safer and get more people back on track to stop anti-social behaviour", he said.
"Anti-social behaviour has been an issue in Darwin and Palmerston for decades, and Territorians have had a gutful," Mr Gunner said.
