DESPERATE Katherine retailers say temporary beat locations are “killing” their businesses as they plead with the Northern Territory government to take their decimated figures seriously.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Following the implementation of the TBLs in December, Police and Emergency Services Minister Peter Chandler announced on April 30 that they would become “permanent beat locations” as the government attempted to control alcohol-fuelled violence and antisocial behaviour.
But a growing number of retailers – many of whom do no sell alcohol – have reported a drastic decline in business they say is directly linked to the introduction of a police presence at bottle shops in Katherine.
Trevor Ford owns Katherine Five Star and Eastside Mini Mart and said his stores had recorded respective drops for the 2015-16 financial year of 29 per cent and 23 per cent.
While Katherine Five Star does sell alcohol, Mr Ford slammed the government’s policy and said it was the grocery side of the Katherine Terrace business that had suffered the most since the TBLs were unveiled.
He added that he may have to close his doors “by Christmas” if there was not a marked turnaround with customer numbers.
“Long term, it’s not sustainable for any business to lose 30 per cent of their income,” he said.
Mr Ford conceded that the TBLs had played a role in reducing alcohol-related assaults but was angry the government, Katherine Town Council and the Chamber of Commerce NT “don’t want to listen” to retailers.
Both the council and CCNT have been vocal advocates of the TBLs.
Long term, it's not sustainable for any business to lose 30 per cent of their income.
- Trevor Ford
Mr Ford’s son, Shaun, manages Eastside Mini Mart and showed the Katherine Times a barren storeroom and described the position of the business as “desperate”.
Member for Katherine Willem Westra van Holthe said he sympathised with retailers but refuted claims that the TBLs were the sole cause of the downturn.
“We’re in a difficult place as far as the mining industry goes … we’ve got money that’s not coming into the economy from the melon industry … so there are a few issues that I think are currently affecting the town,” he said.
“Businesses do need to be adaptable to a changing environment.”
Another retailer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the Member for Katherine’s perspective was “insulting”.
“Grog makes up no part of my business … but my figures are still down more than 40 per cent since the TBLs started,” the retailer said.
“We’ve been doing this a long time and it’s insulting to hear the excuses.
“We know our customers and can see who is no longer around – it’s not miners or melon farmers.”
