Junee Council to vote on extending alcohol-free zones
Junee Shire Council will push for an extension of alcohol-free zones in a bid to limit alcohol consumption to controlled premises such as pubs or homes. Here’s what’s planned.
The Wagga News
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Junee Shire Council will push for an extension of alcohol-free and prohibited zones in a bid to limit alcohol consumption to controlled premises such as pubs or homes.
Councillors are set to vote on the issue at Tuesday afternoon’s meeting.
NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research reveal that over two years (2019 to 2021) Junee had on average 434.4 incidents of disorderly conduct per 100,000 residents, which was well above the state average at 208.1 per 100,000 population.
The council report for Tuesday’s meeting recommends to extend the current alcohol-free and prohibited zones for another four years until August 17, 2026.
“In consultation with Junee police, it is agreed that the zones have and continue to be of great assistance to the police when dealing with alcohol related crimes, in and around the CBD of Junee,” the report states.
The report recommends extending the alcohol-free zones which include: Main St from the intersection of Cox St to the intersection of Humphrys St; Peel St from Cox St to Humphrys St; Broadway from Victoria St to intersection of Seignior St; Crawley St from Junction St to the western edge of Broadway and 100m north along Junction St from the Red Cow Hotel and Dobbyn’s Street.
It also recommends the extension of alcohol-prohibited zones in six public spaces including Junee Skate Park and Hobbin Park at all times. From 9pm to 11am, alcohol will also be prohibited at Endeavour Park from Seignior St to Kitchener St; at Dobbyn‘s Park adjacent to the roundabout at the intersection of Seignior St and Broadway and at The Adventure Park and associated BBQ area.
Alcohol-free zones apply to road-related public areas while alcohol-prohibited zones apply to non-road-related public places such as parks.
Owner of Romano’s hotel in Wagga and The Loft in Junee, Mathew Oates, has welcomed the push to extend the alcohol-free areas and limit drinking on the streets.
“We don’t want to see people walking down the main streets of Junee drinking VB long necks because that will harm the image of the town,” Mr Oates said.
“Also by controlling the consumption of alcohol to licenced venues can minimise anti-social behaviour in such towns like Junee.”
Many Junee residents also agree with the extension of alcohol-free areas, such as Garry and Pat McGregor who believe there’s already enough places to drink in the town.
“Yes I think you don’t need people running around the street drinking, there are enough outlets here and plenty of pubs to have a quiet one,” Mrs McGregor said.
However long-time resident Loraine Sommerfeld felt drinking alcohol in public was okay “in the right manner and at the right time, like at events where you can drink on the street as long as it does not lead to violence”.
The council report recommends that council advertises and exhibits the proposal publicly, and that it sends a copy to key parties including police and liquor licensees.
Also on the meeting agenda this afternoon will be Junee’s long term strategic plan, Riverina Regional Library’s deed of agreement and a briefing of the Riverina Murray Plan 2041.
The Junee Shire council meeting starts at 4.30pm at council chambers.
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