Police, shop owners back push for alcohol free zone in Balmain Loyalty Square after 122 police reports in one year

A booze ban could soon be enforced in Sydney town centre square in response to a shock spike in public drinking, urination and assaults – but critics of the move say it could impact vulnerable locals who can’t afford to drink in ‘expensive pubs’.

A booze ban could soon be enforced in an inner west town centre square after a spike in public drinking, urination and brawls with some locals labelling the area a “no go zone” for residents.

Inner West Police have backed plans for an alcohol free zone to be established in Loyalty Square in Balmain, opposite Woolworths and the historic Balmain War Memorial, as part of a crackdown on anti-social activity.

Dozens of residents have written to Inner West Council raising safety concerns over the public space with some saying the area has been “taken over by unsavoury people” with drinking, drunk arguments, aggressive yelling and vomiting “awful and scary”.

Police figures show 19 assaults have been reported at the square since 2023 – making up 26 per cent of all assaults recorded in the entire suburb of Balmain.

Over the same period, officers have also responded to 103 police radio incidents including two brawls, six intoxicated persons, two domestic violence incidents, four concern for welfare incidents, one case of malicious damage and an animal complaint.

Loyalty Square is a key gathering space in the Balmain town centre.

Balmain Community Pharmacy owner Caroline Diamantis, whose business is located opposite the square, said the “disruptive, anti-social behaviour is out of control”

“We observe daily drunken and often frightening behaviour and often we find the inebriated people come across the road and try to steal from the pharmacy,” she said.

“They get quite brazen and my son and husband now have to spend time at the business in the afternoons specially just to protect my staff members.

Pharmacist Caroline Diamantis said anti-social activity was a growing concern.

A photo of rubbish left behind at the square. Picture: Facebook.

Residents have speculated the issues could stem from the site’s proximity to public housing as well as a rise in homelessness in the inner west.

Leichhardt Police Area commander Superintendent Alfio Sergi said complaints from residents about the square have included issues of “harassment, public urination, defecation, assaults, and littering”.

He said police are now attending the square at “almost a daily occurrence”.

The square is home to the historic Balmain War Memorial.

The plan to establish an alcohol free zone would allow police to stop, speak to and move on anyone who is acting and drinking irresponsibly.

The council says the zone could also deter alcohol-related behaviour, and allow the community to enjoy space without “interference from people under the influence of alcohol.”.

Consultation on the proposed alcohol free zone received 90 per cent support from residents.

A photo of discarded bottles left at the square. Picture: Facebook.

One resident, in a submission to the council, described Loyalty Square as a “filthy unsafe area full of anti-social elements who drink alcohol, do drugs, scream, fight between each other, urinate to the Woolworth property and properties nearby including ours and sometimes even poop to the concrete.”

“It is unsafe to walk into Woolworths alone as a single female, they are threatening, violent and intimidating,” another resident wrote.

“As a mother of a small child I am fearful of the area – even in broad daylight.”

However, some residents have called for the council to rethink the booze ban and instead divert its resources into programs targeting mental health, homelessness and social inequality.

Inner West Greens Councillor Dylan Griffiths

Greens councillor Dylan Griffiths said alcohol was “a social problem and a social solution is generally the best remedy”.

“There is scant evidence that alcohol free zones do anything to curb drinking or crime – if anything there’s a long history it’s acted as a tool to move on homeless people and disadvantaged people,” he said.

“Prohibition of public drinking can also disproportionately affect people who can’t afford to drink inside expensive pubs in Balmain.”

Mayor Darcy Byrne the council was committed to acting in the best interests of vulnerable people but also had a responsibility to maintain public safety and address community concerns.

Superintendent Sergi has also called for CCTV cameras to be established at the square to prevent potential vandalism of the war memorial and allow for the capturing of evidence.

Inner West Council is expected to make a final decision on the alcohol free zone this week.