Street drinking banned at casino and on Block

A proposal to expand permanent existing alcohol-free zones into the heart of the Aboriginal housing development would outlaw outdoor drinking in eight more Redfern streets and two more in neighbouring Chippendale.

The scheme would give police the power to confiscate alcohol to help reduce substance abuse and criminal activity.

The Block is bound by Eveleigh, Vine, Louis and Caroline streets. All four streets would be made alcohol-free.

Six streets surrounding the casino in Pyrmont, including part of Pyrmont Street where the casino is located, are also included in the plan. Three more streets are proposed in Kings Cross and one each in Newtown and Surry Hills.

In June the council was criticised for imposing a partial alcohol ban in Redfern that excluded the Block. Regent Street, Redfern Street and parts of Elizabeth, George and Cope streets were included in that plan.

The new blueprint is being billed as a response to requests by residents and police. Public submissions to the council can be made until December 22.

The plan was welcomed by the Aboriginal Housing Company, which has been pushing for a street drinking ban in the areas around the Block. The company's chief executive, Mick Mundine, said much of the alcohol problem was caused by outsiders flocking to local parks and the area around Redfern railway station.

"A lot of people are coming here who are not living here, who sit around drinking and all that crap stuff, and then the Aboriginal people in the community get blamed," Mr Mundine said. "It is long overdue for sure. What is going to happen is our people are going to have a better start."

He said it would be a difficult law to enforce but would send an important message to people under 18, who make up half the Block's population.

"If there is a sign there, and police come and say, 'You can't do that', I think people will respect it a bit more. People have got to start thinking about children and the next generation."

Redfern Legal Centre executive director Helen Campbell told The Sydney Morning Herald in June: "These are chronic alcoholics. They're not going to stop drinking just because you put a sign up."

When contacted by The Sun-Herald last week, she said she was "not going to make a comment on Aboriginal policy".

Source: The Sun-Herald

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/street-drinking-banned-at-casino-and-on-block/2006/12/09/1165081202989.html