City of Sydney, Glebe, Waterloo, Zetland: More then 200 alcohol restricted zones could be lifted following new report

A huge change could be on its way for Sydneysiders with plans for a massive reduction in alcohol free zones, which could see more than 200 spots removed. See the proposed changes here.

Sydneysiders enjoying an outdoors get together.

A massive change could be on the way for Sydneysiders which would see hundreds of alcohol free zones lifted in the wake of new evidence.

A massive overhaul to the City of Sydney’s alcohol free zones is in the works, which could see its current 428 alcohol prohibited zones dropped to just 238.

It comes after a council report revealed a lack of “robust or reliable evidence” to show that alcohol restrictions are effective in preventing anti-social behaviour.

Alcohol free zones could drop from 428 to 238.

According to a City of Sydney spokeswomen, NSW Police did not provide evidence on how and when they use these restrictions, nor did they provide evidence that these restrictions did not lead to over-policing following concerns from community legal centres, service providers and NSW Health.

Currently, police can seize, tip out or dispose of alcohol, move patrons on from the area or in more serious cases issue fines of up to $2000 or detain intoxicated individuals.

If the amended restrictions are passed, Glebe, Waterloo, Zetland and Ultimo will have some of the biggest reductions in alcohol free zones.

Current City of Sydney Alcohol restrictions

Proposed City of Sydney alcohol restrictions

If council reduce the number of zones, a harm minimisation strategy for managing alcohol consumption – which focuses on education – has been touted and received significant support from council and the community.

NSW Health is one of the biggest supporters of this strategy and raised concerns that outdoor alcohol restrictions can result in ‘proactive policing’ – the practice of deterring criminal activity by showing police presence – of priority communities.

Generic photo of people drinking beer.

However, the council’s reductions will avoid areas with high incidents of alcohol-related crime and assaults, places identified as areas of concern or locations owned by Homes NSW.

According to council documents, nearly 40 per cent of those surveyed were against alcohol restriction zones with one resident stating it actually “divides” the community.

List of some restricted areas.

“Drinking alcohol in bars is prohibitively expensive for many people, so I feel there needs to be some public spaces where people can congregate and drink together,” one resident said.

“We shouldn’t have a city in which only the well-off can get together outside their homes to drink.”

Another resident stated the reductions could help keep Sydney’s night-life alive.

“Keep Sydney vibrant and allow people to be responsible by modelling and policing social behaviours when they meet,” another said. “They can still be respectful to those in the surrounding area.”

The proposal to limit restrictions to 238 is currently on public exhibition for community feedback.

A NSW Police spokeswomen said the force supported a vibrant night-time economy in Sydney, however their priority was the safety and protection of the community.

“Police continue to run high-impact operations and have strategies in place to provide a high-visibility police presence across the Sydney City CBD, which has proven to have a significant impact on criminal and anti-social behaviours,” she said