Crossborder grog run fears

Alcohol-related hospital emergencies in Mount Isa are worse than the Queensland average with dozens being treated every month, as the debate for drink restrictions in the crime-riddled town hits a snag.

It comes amid growing concern people are moving across the border from the Northern Territory to Queensland to take advantage of the loose grog laws after the state government ruled out backing a pitch by regional North Queensland mayors for a banned alcohol register, saying it was “impractical”.

New Queensland Health figures obtained by News Corp show more than 50 people every month have been brought to Mount Isa Hospital with “alcohol-related” emergencies since July last year, totalling to more than 400 presentations.

The number of these presentations has risen by almost 80 presentations since the same period in 2021-22, or three more people every week.

In Queensland, less than 0.75 per cent of all emergency department presentations between July last year and February this year were related to alcohol.

But in Mount Isa, it was more than 2 per cent, or about 51 presentations each month, in a town of just 18,000.

Mount Isa mayor Cr Slade said the statistics were proof that urgent change was needed in their city. “I’ve talked to the pubs and clubs in Mount Isa and they definitely think (a BAR) is the answer, or at least the answer for now, until we find a solution,” Cr Slade said.

Last month, deputy premier Stephen Miles dismissed a proposal for a BAR in Townsville, Mount Isa and Cairns. The measure is already in place in parts of the Northern Territory, and there are concerns people are moving across the border to Queensland to take advantage of the loose grog laws since strict regulations were put in place in Alice Springs in January.