Wollongong councillors have again be asked to consider banning alcohol consumption in a city park, in order to improve safety and curb anti-social behaviour.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The proposal to introduce a new “alcohol prohibited area” (APA) in Osborne Park – near Wollongong Harbour – was initially flagged in August, following a safety audit of the area and during discussions about the city’s alcohol-free zones (AFZ).
All of the city’s AFZs, which apply to roads and footpaths within a designated area, were renewed in September.
However, parks, reserves and beaches are not automatically considered part of an AFZ and have to be declared an APA via a council resolution.
No one can be fined or charged for drinking in either the zones or areas, but police can move on drinkers and tip out their booze.
In September, the council deferred a decision on the APA at the park, to allow for a further 28 days of public consultation. It sent more than 600 letters to residents living nearby, asking for feedback.
In a report to Monday night’s meeting, the council said 38 submissions were received. Of them, 84 per cent supported the booze ban, 11 per cent were opposed to the move and five per cent suggested a nighttime-only ban.
The report also cited the results of a poll on the Mercury’s website, published on August 28. Of the 238 respondents to the poll, 64 per cent were supportive of alcohol being banned at the park.
According to the council, residents have aired concerns about anti-social and threatening behaviour from groups of people drinking in the four picnic shelters within the park.
The report said a council storage building in the park’s south-western corner was overshadowed by large trees and the space was “sometimes used as a urinal and to hide anti-social behaviour”.
Wollongong police have indicated the majority of the incidents occurred between 11am and 5.30pm, with a few from 7pm to 11pm.
“Police informed they ‘strongly oppose’ alcohol prohibition from sunset to sunrise as a consideration, as the majority of offenses are occurring during the day or early afternoon,” the report said.
Councillors have been asked to approve a 24-hour APA in the park, between Cliff Road and Wilson Street.