Jones Bay Rd: Alcohol ban approved for Pyrmont hotspot after complaints of ‘pre-loading, binge drinking’

Complaints over public urination, binge drinking and people ‘preloading’ on alcohol have resulted in a booze ban outside a late night Sydney hotspot.

Complaints over public urination, binge drinking and people “preloading” alcohol in cars have resulted in a booze ban outside Sydney’s Star Casino.

The City of Sydney has approved a new alcohol free zone on a main road next to the Pyrmont casino and light rail station amid community concerns over anti-social and late-night drunken behaviour.

The restrictions will apply to Jones Bay Rd where homeowners say they are often kept awake by people drinking alcohol and causing noise.

Pyrmont local Zena Vaassen said the community was fed up with the current state of affairs, which she believes was due to the street’s proximity to the casino.

“It’s a long known hotspot for binge drinking, preloading and anti-social behaviour,” she said.

Residents claim some of the behaviour is linked to the street’s proximity to The Star.

“Every Friday and Saturday night a steady growing number of people sit in parked cars preloading, binge drinking, eating, vaping, smoking, taking drugs, urinating and vomiting.

“Residents and small businesses see it, smell it, and have to clean up after people.

“The restrictions will keep the streets safe and liveable.”

A report by the City of Sydney showed a majority of public feedback was in support of the restrictions.

The City of Sydney approved the restrictions at a meeting this week.

However, a small number of residents opposed the restrictions which they said were “unnecessary” and a move towards a “nanny state”.

Submissions from Pyrmont Action Group and St James Church were both in favour of the restrictions.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for The Star said it has “no objection” to the installation of the alcohol free zone.

“The Star prides itself on working with the local communities in which we operate and have a commitment to ensuring a safe tourism and entertainment precinct,” she said.

Local resident Ken Louden said the public booze ban would bring Jones Bay Rd into line with several other streets near the casino which currently have alcohol restrictions in place.

“The Star engages off duty policy to monitor on all the streets except for Jones Bay Rd,” he said.

“The restrictions will give rangers stronger action to monitor and control anti-social behaviour.”

The move comes after the City of Sydney last year removed more than 200 alcohol free zones across the inner city.

The scaling back of restrictions was backed by Chris Minns who described the rules around where people can drink as too restrictive and stifling Sydney’s night-life.