KEMPSEY Shire Council recently voted at their regular meeting to renew nine Alcohol-Free Zones (AFZ), and additionally, added Leith Street Park as a new 24hr, 7 days a week Alcohol Prohibited Area (APA).
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All the councillors present voted unanimously to renew the following AFZs:
- Crescent Head CBD
- Greenhill Residential Area
- Hat Head (Special Event: December 1 to January 30
- Kempsey CBD
- Smithtown Residential Area
- South West Rocks CBD
- South Kempsey Residential Area
- West Kempsey CBD
- West Kempsey Residential Area
These zones apply to streets, footpaths, car parks and are marked with proper signage. They will be in effect over four years from October 1, 2019, until September 30 2023, and are designed to assist NSW police in reducing alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour in public areas.
Alcohol-Free Zones and Alcohol Prohibited Areas allow police to confiscate and dispose of open alcohol in the zones; fines may apply if requests from police are ignored.
After the Kempsey Shire's existing Alcohol-Free Zones expired in 2019, they sought community feedback on whether additional zones should be created. They received 31 submissions via the 'Your Say Macleay' Portal.
- 77.4 per cent agreed that AFZ and APA improve community safety
- 76.9 per cent agreed that Leith Street Park should be added
There were several additional areas suggested, and they are being investigated further with the NSW police and key stakeholders. Guidelines stipulate that there be a minimum 30 day consultation period; however, the council exceeded that by providing eight-weeks.
Council has been establishing and renewing AFZ in various areas since 1993 in response to requests from NSW police, Kempsey Local Aboriginal Land Council, local chambers of commerce, and various residents and local groups.
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