Woolloomooloo’s New 24-Hour Booze Ban Could Hit Marginalised Communities

The City of Sydney has approved 24-hour alcohol restrictions in three Woolloomooloo parks, despite concerns from service providers about the impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, public housing residents and people experiencing homelessness.

The restrictions apply to Bourke Street Park, Tom Uren Place and Walla Mulla Reserve where drinking alcohol was previously prohibited between 10pm and 10am, seven days a week. Now, the prohibition will apply 24 hours a day until August 21, 2028.

Council said the restrictions aim to address alcohol-related disturbances and antisocial behaviour in the area.

But Woolloomooloo did not meet the council’s initial crime data criterion of having increased numbers of outdoor alcohol-related assaults. BOCSAR data showed outdoor alcohol-related assaults fell from 14 in 2022–23 to eight in 2024–25.

Council later expanded its criteria to include areas with strong community support or other significant circumstances, with Woolloomooloo also identified as an area of concern by NSW police and the community.

Concerns For Marginalised Woolloomooloo Residents

Around 90 per cent of the 57 submissions received during public consultation from May 21 to July 3 supported the proposal, while local service providers including the Aboriginal Legal Service, Inner City Legal Centre and St Vincent de Paul Society raised concerns about its impact on people who rely on public spaces.

The council’s report acknowledges that restrictions could have unintended effects including discrimination, over-policing and increased criminalisation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, public housing residents and people experiencing homelessness.

Police will have the power to confiscate or dispose of alcohol in the restricted areas. While there is no fine for drinking alcohol in a designated area, refusing to comply with police directions can lead to further action.

Service providers have argued that the restrictions do not address the reasons people could be drinking in public spaces, which include homelessness, alcohol dependence and a lack of access to affordable licensed venues.

Inner City Legal Centre president Katie Green told The Daily Telegraph the proposal was an “unnecessary targeting” of an overly-surveilled community.

“The homeless have the right to drink just like housed people,” Ms Green said.

She also argued police already have powers to respond to antisocial behaviour with move on directions, fines and charges.

Police Say Restrictions Could Prevent Escalation

Police supported the proposal and said the previous restrictions could make it harder for officers to intervene before alcohol-related behaviour escalates.

Kings Cross Superintendent Jill Waters said police had attended 420 incidents at the three parks over an eight-month period, according to The Daily Telegraph.

“Residents continually tell us they feel less safe using these public spaces,” Supt Waters said.

She said the previous restrictions allowed alcohol to be consumed between 10am and 10pm which could have limited police intervention during those hours.

“A 24/7 alcohol-free zone allows police to engage earlier, confiscate alcohol where appropriate and stop situations escalating,” she said.