WEDDIN SHIRE COUNCIL | ON PUBLIC EXHIBITION(PDF, 439KB)
PROPOSED ALCOHOL-FREE ZONES
At the 21 March 2024 Ordinary Council Meeting, Council resolved to place the following proposal for the establishment of alcohol-free zones, on public exhibition for a period of 28 days inviting submissions from the public, the Police and each holder of a liquor licence for premises that border, adjoin or is adjacent to the proposed alcohol-free zones.
BACKGROUND
Alcohol Free Zones (AFZ) means a zone operating under Part 4 of Chapter 16 of the Local Government Act 1993 (Act). These zones apply to road-related public area such as a public roadway, footpath or carpark.
The objective of an AFZ is an early intervention measure to prevent the escalation of irresponsible street drinking to incidents involving serious crime.
Council records indicate that AFZ were first established in Grenfell in 1999.
PROPOSAL
In accordance with clause 644 of the Act it is proposed to establish the following AFZ in Grenfell:
Alcohol-Free Zones at all times – 4 year period
- Burrangong Street from Main St to Weddin St
- Weddin St from Burrangong St to Camp St
- George St from Grafton St to Short St
- Forbes St from Camp St to George St
- Teston St from Main St to George St
- Nash St footway from Main St to George St
- Short St from Burrangong St to George St
- Unnamed footway/lane running south from Dalton St between George St and Main St
- Cross St from North St to Melyra St
- Forbes St from George St to North St
- Melyra St from Cross St to Forbes St.
Alcohol-Free Zones between the hours of 10:00pm – 9:00am – 4 year period
The pedestrian footway under the projecting verandah on the western end of the premises known as the Railway Hotel, between Main St and George St.
Alcohol-Free Zones between the hours of 10:00pm – 9:00am – 1 year trial period
Main St from the intersection of Camp and Grafton St including Rygate Square to Burrangong Street, excluding the pedestrian footway under the Hotel, between Main St and George St.
*See attached Figure 1. Map of proposed Alcohol Free Zones.
Reasons to Support an AFZ
Evidence suggests that when AFZ are established in appropriate areas and operated with the required level of resources to promote and enforce the zones, they are an effective tool in assisting Police and Council to manage public safety. AFZ provide an early intervention measure to prevent the escalation of irresponsible street drinking to incidents of serious crime.
While Grenfell does not have a significant street drinking problem, this could be linked in part to the fact that AFZ have been in place since 1999. Establishing AFZ also aids to prevent instances of malicious damage and littering.
Duration of an AFZ
Clause 644(5) of the Local Government Act 1993 states that a proposal may provide for an AFZ to be established for a period not exceeding 4 years and for the zone to operate for the whole of that period or just for days on which particular special events occur.
It is proposed that the AFZ be established for a period of 4 years, with the exception of the proposed trial period within the Main Street, which will be re-evaluated after 12 months.
Where resolved by Council, the AFZ would commence 7 days after the first publication of the relevant notice required by Clause 644B of the Act.
Consultation with the Police
Consultation was undertaken with NSW Police regarding AFZ within Grenfell including the option to limit the time periods of the zones in Main Street, in order to allow for alfresco dining. Below is a summary of the comments provided by NSW Police:
- AFZ should continue in and around the CBD / Main Street.
- AFZ should continue in parks.
- If a restaurant or café wish to open / trade in an AFZ and they were a bona fide dining establishment, consideration would be given to an alfresco area that allows alcohol consumption up until a suitable time. This would not be supported for a pub or hotel to permit alcohol consumption on the footpath area.
- For special events a licensed premise can make an application to allow alcohol on the footpath area, or for alcohol to be permitted in a park.
Suspension or Cancellation of AFZ
In accordance with clause 645 of the Act, Council may at the request of any person or body or of its own motion, suspend the operation of an alcohol-free zone by publishing notice of the suspension in a manner that the council is satisfied is likely to bring the notice to the attention of members of the public in the area as a whole or in a part of the area that includes the zone concerned.
During the period indicated in such a notice as the period of suspension, the zone does not operate as an alcohol-free zone. Additionally Council may at any time cancel the operation of an AFZ.
PUBLIC EXHIBITION
The above proposal for the establishment of AFZ is placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days from 9 April 2024 to 7 May 2024 inviting submissions from members of the public. The proposal will also be sent to the Officer in Charge at the Grenfell Police Station and to each holder of a liquor licence for premises that border, adjoin or is adjacent to the proposed Alcohol Free Zones, inviting their comments.
Council welcomes any input or submissions to mail@weddin.nsw.gov.au
Submissions must be provided by 5:00pm Tuesday 7 May 2024.
How are we notifying you?
- Adjoining neighbours will be notified by mail.
- See ‘Council News’ in the Grenfell Record