Alcohol Free Zones Review

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Consultation has concluded

bottle on street

We're seeking feedback on Alcohol Free Zones (AFZs) to determine whether they should be reimplemented or changed.

All of the AFZs within the Wollongong Local Government Area have a four-year term that will expire on 30 September 2022. AFZs are located in the suburbs of Helensburgh, Thirroul, Corrimal, Wollongong, Warrawong, Berkeley and Dapto. We're proposing to reimplement all of the AFZs for another four years. View maps of the proposed AFZs for 2022-2026.

AFZs assist Council and NSW Police to improve and maintain community safety. They are one strategy, among many and act as an early intervention measure to prevent the escalation of irresponsible street drinking.

AFZs only apply to the roads and footpaths within a declared Alcohol Free Zone. The consumption of alcohol in an AFZ is an offence under the Local Government Act. Enforcement is by way of confiscation of alcohol and subsequent prosecution, undertaken by NSW Police officers.

Share your thoughts

We're seeking feedback to gain an understanding of community support for the AFZs. Your feedback will help Council determine whether the AFZs should be reimplemented or changed.

You can share your thoughts via the following methods:

Share your feedback by 5pm, Friday 12 August 2022.

Submissions become public documents and may be viewed by other persons on request. Please read Council’s Privacy Notification before submitting your feedback.

Other ways to give your feedback

We want to make sure everybody has the opportunity to provide feedback.

If you prefer to talk to us in person, please call the Engagement Team on 4227 7111 or visit our customer service centre at 41 Burelli Street, Wollongong.

If you’re Deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can contact us through the National Relay Service. You’ll need to provide our phone number, which is 02 42277111.

If you need an interpreter you can contact us through the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131450. You’ll need to provide our phone number, which is 02 4227 7111.

We're seeking feedback on Alcohol Free Zones (AFZs) to determine whether they should be reimplemented or changed.

All of the AFZs within the Wollongong Local Government Area have a four-year term that will expire on 30 September 2022. AFZs are located in the suburbs of Helensburgh, Thirroul, Corrimal, Wollongong, Warrawong, Berkeley and Dapto. We're proposing to reimplement all of the AFZs for another four years. View maps of the proposed AFZs for 2022-2026.

AFZs assist Council and NSW Police to improve and maintain community safety. They are one strategy, among many and act as an early intervention measure to prevent the escalation of irresponsible street drinking.

AFZs only apply to the roads and footpaths within a declared Alcohol Free Zone. The consumption of alcohol in an AFZ is an offence under the Local Government Act. Enforcement is by way of confiscation of alcohol and subsequent prosecution, undertaken by NSW Police officers.

Share your thoughts

We're seeking feedback to gain an understanding of community support for the AFZs. Your feedback will help Council determine whether the AFZs should be reimplemented or changed.

You can share your thoughts via the following methods:

Share your feedback by 5pm, Friday 12 August 2022.

Submissions become public documents and may be viewed by other persons on request. Please read Council’s Privacy Notification before submitting your feedback.

Other ways to give your feedback

We want to make sure everybody has the opportunity to provide feedback.

If you prefer to talk to us in person, please call the Engagement Team on 4227 7111 or visit our customer service centre at 41 Burelli Street, Wollongong.

If you’re Deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can contact us through the National Relay Service. You’ll need to provide our phone number, which is 02 42277111.

If you need an interpreter you can contact us through the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131450. You’ll need to provide our phone number, which is 02 4227 7111.

Consultation has concluded

  • AFZs adopted for another four years

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    The Alcohol Free Zones Review was reported to Council's 12 September 2022 meeting. The recommendations of the report were adopted in full.

    It was resolved (unanimously) that:

    1. Council endorse the proposed AFZs in Helensburgh, Thirroul, Corrimal, Wollongong, Berkeley, Warrawong and Dapto as shown in Attachment 1 of the report for a period of four years.
    2. Council adopt a maximum of 10 events per annum in each of the following City Centre areas to be exempt from alcohol prohibition: Upper Crown Street Mall (including Crown Lane), Lower Crown Street Mall, Globe Lane, the Arts Precinct and Wollongong Foreshore area as shown in Attachment 2.
    3. Authority is delegated to the General Manager to suspend the AFZ in other areas to a maximum of two events per year.
    4. The exemptions in both Parts 2 and 3 be subject to the relevant event organiser undertaking a formal event approval process, including obtaining development consent, liaising with NSW Police and obtaining approval for a liquor licence from Liquor and Gaming NSW and that all conditions for the safe delivery of an event be the responsibility of the event organiser.

    The meeting’s minutes are available on Council's website.

  • Council to decide AFZs at upcoming meeting

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    Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Alcohol Free Zones Review. The feedback we received has helped inform a report that is going to Council on Monday 12 September 2022.

    The report seeks Council endorsement to re-establish Alcohol Free Zones (AFZs) across seven locations and establish AFZ exemptions in key event locations.

    It is proposed:

    • Corrimal, Berkeley and Warrawong AFZs are re-established without change for four years.
    • Dapto, Thirroul, Helensburgh and Wollongong AFZs are re-established for four years with a reduced footprint. The reduced footprint responds to Ministerial Guidelines which require AFZs to:
      • Be as small as is possible.
      • Only extend to areas that irresponsible behaviour from the consumption of alcohol is occurring.
      • Be within close proximity to outlets supplying alcohol.
    • Continue AFZ exemptions to enable and welcome major events in Upper Crown Street Mall (including Crown Lane), Lower Crown Street Mall, Arts Precinct, Globe Lane and Wollongong Foreshore.
    • Council delegates authority to the General Manager to suspend AFZs in other areas to a maximum of two events per year, if required.

    You can read the report in full in the meeting’s Business Paper published on Council’s website. The Agenda for the Council meeting is also available.

    If you're interested in seeing Council's decision-making processes in action, you can watch the meeting online from 6pm via webcast.

    Councillors will decide whether to adopt the report’s recommendation at the meeting on Monday.