Leichhardt police call for alcohol free zones to be reinstated across Balmain on New Year’s Eve
Police have called for a Sydney council to reinstate alcohol free zones across a popular New Year’s Eve celebration area following a “significant increase in violence”.
Inner West
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
NSW Police have called for alcohol free zones to be reinstated across Balmain on New Year’s Eve a year after they were removed, claiming the move resulted in a “significant increase in violence”.
Last year Inner West Council decided not to renew 15 alcohol free zones for Balmain Peninsula on New Year’s Eve from 2023 to 2026, which police say created “unnecessary” strain on already stretched police resources.
In a letter to the council, Leichhardt Police Area Command Superintendent Alf Sergi said 2023 celebrations across Balmain were “unprecedented” with brawls, assaults and foot chases.
Police reported six assaults, one sexual touching act, two brawls, however state that these figures aren’t a true reflection of what happened with many incidents unreported.
Council has been implementing alcohol restricted zones since 2011 with the issue of Balmain’s New Year’s Eve zones to return to council next week.
The zones up for debate include Yurulbin, Birchgrove, Mort Bay, Thornton Park, College Street Playground, Simmons Point, Illoura, Harris and Brownlee Reserves, Darling St Wharf, Weston St and Lookes Ave.
Superintendent Sergi said the removal of these zones “exponentially” increased the workload of emergency services which saw an increase of 20,000 people on the Balmain Peninsula.
“It was the biggest New Year’s Eve for police, and likely NSW Ambulance, in recent memory,” he said in his letter.
“SES made a strong comment that there was a high volume of intoxicated persons who required medical intervention which was unparalleled from previous New Years Eves.
“In an attempt to avoid a repeat of the violence experienced in 2023, I request that alcohol-free zones are enforced on 2024 New Year’s Eve.”
The issues will be debated at a council meeting on October 22.
Inner West Council has been contacted for comment.
‘Ghetto of deformed murals’: Why public art is dividing Sydney suburb
Locals have aired mixed opinions over a Sydney council’s plan to paint a mural on the entire side of an inner city house with some residents fearing it will turn the suburb into a “ghetto”.
Named: Man allegedly sexually assaulted girls as young as 2
Sex crime detectives have credited advances in technology for the arrest of a man who allegedly sexually assaulted five children more than a decade ago. See the arrest.