Alcohol-free zones for NYE to inhibit bad behaviour

Leichhardt Council is considering alcohol-free zones during New Year’s Eve in parts of the Balmain peninsula following from an increase in drunken behaviour at the 2010 celebrations.

Police will be able to confiscate alcohol or fine anyone publicly drinking within the alcohol-free zone during parts of December 31 and New Year’s Day.

While Council is yet to decide the boundaries of proposed alcohol-free zones, it comes as a result of larger-than-expected crowds at 2010 New Year celebrations that resulted in public urination and damage to private property.

“Other harbour councils for the first time decided to restrict alcohol and the Balmain peninsula has never restricted alcohol,” said Leichhardt Mayor Rochelle Porteous at a community consultation meeting last week.

Cr Porteous said crowds were a problem because people who were unable to drink their own alcohol at other harbourside locations flocked to Balmain where there weren’t any restrictions. Crowds built up all day and had been drinking hours before the 9 o’clock fireworks had even started.

Complaints of last year’s celebrations from residents include public urination, crowd intoxication, shattered glass and an unsuitable atmosphere for families and children.

In a Leichhardt Council document detailing residents’ concerns one local resident discovered two intoxicated individuals completely naked and having sex next to some garbage bins in the yard six metres inside her private property.

By Simon Anderson