In response to expressions of concern from the Town of Port Hedland about local alcohol problems, the Western Australian Director of Liquor Licensing conducted a series of inquiries leading to the decision to impose restrictions on the sale and promotion of packaged liquor. Richard Midford, Deidra Young, Denese Playford, Elaine Kite, Tanya Chikritzhs and Richard Pascal used various measure to determine that the restrictions have made a difference to consumption patterns.