The Sisters Beach Project

Sisters Beach is a small community of approximately 100 people (permanent residents) on the North West Coast of Tasmania. Over the summer the population can rise to up to 1000 people. It is a prime holiday destination for both adults and young people, particularly during 'schoolies' time.

The need for this project was identified through the Rural Connections Project (also run by CCI) which was conducted during 2004. As part of the Rural Connections Project focus groups were conducted in a variety of coastal locations, including Sisters Beach. Twenty four participants from Sisters Beach provided their views on issues of concern to them. Alcohol related behaviour was identified by 79% of participants as of concern. In particular the issues were:

• Underage drinking
• Parties
• Public drunkenness/public spaces
• Damage to property
• Violent and abusive behaviour
• Vandalism
• Accidents and injury

Some focus group participants expressed concerns about the culture of drinking that exists in the community and the parties which take place in the area, particularly over summer. It would appear that some of the parties are either unsupervised adolescent parties or parties spilling out beyond the private house where they are being held into public areas. The issues have included littering, vandalism and property damage.


Those who participated in the focus group indicated that it was important to work with the local community and police to enforce and watch over rowdy and illegal behaviour at Sisters Beach. A number of those involved in the focus group thought that registering parties would be a good idea. Other strategies suggested were about limiting supply of alcohol, involving the community in addressing the issue and offering different activities or alternatives to young people in particular. It was seen as important to make homeowners aware of the problems associated with unsupervised parties. New Years Eve and school leaving time (e.g. November) were identified as particularly difficult times.


The main organisations that people in Sisters Beach identified as being able to help address this issue were police, CCI. Just over half of the participants (54%) indicated that there were barriers to them using these services. The key reasons stated for not using services were:

• Lack of awareness of services
• Distance
• Difficulties in finding the right service. (A Rural Connections Project Report, Community Connections Inc. 2004.)

A number of groups are involved in the iparty® Small Communities Project in Sisters Beach including:

• Warratah/Wynyard Council
• Tasmania Police
• The Sisters Beach Community Association