Alcohol Free Zones extend further through Sydney

There are plans to add to an existing 50 alcohol free zones with a further 23 designated dry areas in the city, Redfern, Glebe, Newtown, Pyrmont and Waterloo.

But Sydney Councillors are divided over the plan as there is no evidence that alcohol free zones help reduce crime or make streets feel safer for locals.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore is awaiting research and a report will come back to council in about a month’s time.  Meanwhile, town hall’s plans to declare a further 23 streets alcohol-free are on public exhibition.

Labor Councillor Meredith Burgmann is strongly opposed to the plan, saying that alcohol free zones typically target the disadvantaged while leaving the well-healed to drink in public areas with impunity.

Cr Burgmann said many of the proposed alcohol-free areas were around public housing estates, leaving out better–off areas.

``It seems that if you are in park having a champagne with a group of well-dressed people you are left alone,’’ Cr Burgmman said.

``But if you are in the housing estate you can’t drink beer on the street. That’s a class-based decision. I have lived in Glebe 41 years and I have never seen people drinking in the street. There are people doing break and enters but they aren’t drinking on the street.’’

Cr Burgmann said it was flawed process because the request of just one resident could have a street listed as a potential alcohol free zone.

This would then go to public exhibition and would take vocal opposition to remove.

``People who drink on the street are not likely to stand up for themselves,’’ Cr Burgmann said.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the increase in alcohol free zones was ``not a class thing’’.

`` It’s a practical tool, together with compassionate tools, all trying to address complex issues.’’

Cr Moore said police officers were regularly confronted with shocking violence on the streets and alcohol free zones were part of a range of strategies to control it.

``I have asked for detailed information to be sure of their effectiveness,’’ Cr Moore said.

Greens Cr Irene Doutney said many city bars were overpriced and many outdoor events did not allow BYO, force people to buy overpriced drinks.

`` I’m not convinced,’’ Cr Doutney said.

`` Many are being used to target Aboriginals, homeless or Housing NSW tenants.’’

Fellow Greens Cr Chris Harris said police already possessed all the powers they needed.

`` I commend all the other projects the city is doing, but this is class-based,’’ Cr Harris said.

``If you are scruffy looking or Aboriginal, the police will pick you out. I’ve seen it happen.’’

Cr Harris said the city also needed to review its policy on applications for licensed venues.

City Central Local Area Command
Existing AFZ proposed for re-establishment
1. George Street from Campbell Street to Druitt Street
2. Liverpool Street from Douglass Street to Wentworth Avenue
3. Central Street from George Street to Pitt Street
4. Wilmot Street from George to Pitt Street
5. Bathurst Street from Kent to Castlereagh Street
6. Pitt Street from Park Street to Cunningham Street
7. Goulburn Street from Sussex Street to Castlereagh Street
8. Castlereagh Street from Goulburn Street to Liverpool Street
9. Park Street from George Street to Castlereagh Street
10. Eddy Avenue from Pitt Street to Elizabeth Street

Pyrmont
11. Union Square/Union Street from Harris Street to Murray Street
12. Paternoster Row from Union Street to Pyrmont Bridge Road
13. Pyrmont Street from Point Street to Bunn Street
14. Edward Street from Bunn Street to Pirrama Road
15. Pirrama Road from Harris Street to Murray Street
16. Murray Street from Pirrama Road to Union Street
17. Point Street
New Locations proposed for AFZ
18. Day Street from Liverpool Street to Druitt Street
19. George Street from Druitt Street to Market Street
20. Darling Drive from Union Street to the Western Distributor
21. Dixon Street from Goulburn Street to Factory Street
22. Elizabeth Street from St James Road to Liverpool Street
23. St James Road from St Mary’s Road to Elizabeth Street
24. College Street from St James Road to Liverpool Street
25. Park Street from Castlereagh Street to William Street

Leichhardt Local Area Command
Existing AFZ proposed for re-establishment
1. Glebe Point Road from Parramatta Road to Bridge Road
2. Cowper Street from Glebe Point Road to Wentworth Park Road
3. Franklyn Street from Cowper Street to Francis Street
4. Mitchell Street from Catherine Street to Wentworth Park Road
5. St Johns Road from Ross Street to Wentworth Park Road
6. Glebe Street from Cowper Street to Bay Street
7. Bay Street from Broadway to Wentworth Park Road
New locations proposed for AFZ
8. Glebe Point Road from Bridge Road to Federal Road
9. Forest Road from St Johns Road to Arundel Street
10. Bridge Road from Gottenham Street to Railway Street
11. Colbourne Ave from Lyndhurst St to St Johns Rd
12. Lyndhurst St from Bridge Road to Darghan St

Newtown Local Area Command
Existing AFZ proposed for re-establishment
1. King Street (eastern side) from Whateley Street to Goddard Street
2. Whateley Street from King Street to Wilson Street
3. Thomas Street
4. Railway Lane from Thomas Street to Angel Street
5. Newman Street from King Street to Thomas Street
6. Whitehorse Street
7. Norfolk Street
8. Hordern Street from King Street to Victoria Street
9. Mechanic Street from Church Street to Egan Street
10. Campbell Street from O’Connell Street to Elizabeth Street
New locations proposed for AFZ
11. King Street from Church Street to Missenden Road
12. Missenden Road from King Street to Carillon Avenue
13. Longdown Street

Redfern Local Area Command
Existing AFZ proposed for re-establishment
1. Redfern Street from Gibbons Street to Elizabeth Street
2. Lawson Square
3. George Street from Redfern Street to Turner Street
4. Elizabeth Street from Redfern Street to McEvoy Street
5. Regent Street from Redfern Street to Boundary Street
6. Botany Road from Boundary Street to Raglan Street
7. Gardeners Road (northern side) from Dalmeny Avenue to Primrose Avenue
8. James Street from Young Street to Marriott Street
Waterloo
9. Phillip Street from Walker Street to Pitt Street
10. Wellington Street from Walker Street to Cope Street
11. Walker Street from Wellington Street to Phillip Street
12. Raglan Street from Botany Road to Cope Street
13. Cope Street from Raglan Street to Redfern Street
14. George Street from Raglan Street to John Street
Chippendale
15. Balfour Street from Cleveland Street to Meagher Street
16. Bartley Street from Abercrombie Street to Balfour Street
New locations proposed for AFZ
17. Lawson Street from Gibbons Street to Abercrombie Street
18. Eveleigh Street from Lawson Street to Caroline Street
Waterloo
19. Pitt Street from Phillip Street to Kellick Street
20. Phillip Street from Pitt Street to Cope Street
21. Raglan Street from Pitt Street to Cope Street
The Rocks Local Area Command
New locations proposed for AFZ
1. George Street from Market Street to Alfred Street
2. King Street from Sussex Street to Clarence Street

Source: http://sydney-central.whereilive.com.au/news/story/alcohol-free-zones-extend-further-into-city/