Tennant Creek residents will only be able to buy one six-pack of full strength beer a day under restrictions proposed to deal with alcohol consumption described as "extraordinarily high" and harmful.
The Northern Territory Liquor Commission has released a report showing that after substantial longer term gains, consumption and alcohol-related assaults soared in the past two years.
That made men seven times more likely to die of alcohol-caused disease or injury than the average Australian; females are 10 times more likely to die of disease and 4.5 times more likely to of injury.
Tennant Creek gained notoriety this year as the town in which a two-year-old girl was raped - allegedly by a 24-year-old male relative who has been charged - suffered significant injuries and tested positive for gonorrhoea.
Restrictions on the sale of alcohol were introduce in response to that but the latest proposals are far stricter than current limits of 24 cans or stubbies a day.
Goldfields Hotel Motel manager Michael Webb has publicly opposed the proposals, telling the NT News the town is already struggling with existing restrictions and the actions of some individuals is hurting the hard working majority.
Tennant Creek is the NT"s fifth largest town with about 3000 people, more than half of whom are Aboriginal.
"The burden on government, the community, families and individuals of managing alcohol-related harm in Tennant Creek has again become intolerable and is now unsustainable," the commission report stated.
"The harm associated with these extraordinarily high levels of alcohol supply and consumption is similarly extraordinary."
As well as the six can a day limit, drinkers will be limited to buying 12 mid-strength beers, 18 lights and restrictions on wine while a 750ml bottle of spirits will be restricted to one every two days.
The commission also wants to change but not reduce takeaway liquor trading hours to 4pm to 7pm so children are not exposed to drinkers on their way home.
The restrictions would very substantially reduce the amount of alcohol purchased and are in line with limits applied to remote Aboriginal communities, the report said.
The Devils Marbles Hotel near Tennant Creek does not sell more than six cans of full-strength beer to members of the local Alekerenge community.
The report says the restrictions are non-discriminatory, although guests saying in accommodation provided by licensed venues will be exempted.
