Alcohol free groans

Politicians and community groups have slammed Council plans to introduce 34 new alcohol free zones in the city.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore cited strong police and local community support for the proposals.

But Greens Councillor Irene Doutney says the plans will not cut binge drinking.

“We’ve always opposed alcohol free zones because they are discriminatory and just move the problem from one area to another,” she said.

“It makes me really angry that everybody’s going to have to suffer because maybe five per cent of people behave like idiots.”

City of Sydney Council says alcohol free zones aim to reduce alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour to help create a safer environment for residents, businesses and visitors.

The new zones include parts of Kings Cross, Newtown and Surry Hills and it will be an offence to drink alcohol on any street or footpath where an alcohol free zone exists – 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a period of up to four years.

President of the Darlinghurst Residents Action Group, Jo Holder, says more needs to be done.

“Alcohol free zones are obviously not going to solve the problem,” she said.

“The only way you can tackle social disorder caused by binge drinking is to cut back the number of patrons and the density of drinking venues as well as their hours.”

Community advocate and former President of the Darlinghurst Business Partnership Andrew Duckmanton says there are already enough rules in place which should be enforced.

“We are a global city where people come and we should provide an environment where they can have fun in a safe way and not feel like they are being overtly penalised,” he said.

“I just don’t see the need for more of these zones as we are trying to turn Sydney into a dictatorial nanny state.”

But Lord Mayor Clover Moore says this is not the case.

“This is not about spoiling people’s enjoyment. This is about making our public places safer for everyone,” she said.

“”The City has a number of important initiatives already in place to help address anti-social behaviour associated with street drinking.”

Liberal Councillor Shayne Mallard says he supports the plans reluctantly.

“It seems the first response is to ban things and in a civilised society we should be able to have civilised behaviour on the streets without having to resort to prohibition,” he said.

“I am not a keen advocate of prohibition.”

Labour Councillor Meredith Burgmann says there are already enough laws in place to prevent antisocial behaviour caused by binge drinking which should be enforced.

“There’s already legislation about public drunkenness and the police have weapons in their armoury to use against bad behaviour,” she said.

“Bad behaviour such as urinating in the streets is already illegal and making a place an alcohol free zone does not solve that kind of problem.”

But a spokesperson for the Hyde Park Community Voice, Christine Byrne, says she has some sympathy for the new alcohol free zones but thinks not enough is being done.

“I believe on Friday and Saturday nights that any street around an entertainment precinct should be an alcohol free zone,” she said.

“I don’t think it’s going to solve the problem but it is going to send a message to people about antisocial behaviour.”

by William Brougham