Proposal to Re-Establish Alcohol Free Zones

Time frame

The Alcohol Free Zones will operate for a period of 4 years once Council resolves to establish them and following a short public notice period.

Enforcement

Police Officers will be responsible for enforcing the alcohol free zone.

Under Section 642 of the Local Government Act 1993, a police officer may seize any alcohol that is in the immediate possession of a person in an alcohol free zone if

The person is drinking the alcohol in the alcohol free zone, or The officer has reasonable cause to believe that the person is about to drink, or has recently been drinking in the alcohol free zone.

There is no requirement for the police to first issue a warning.

Consultation

Council is required under Section 644A of the Local Government Act 1993 to undertake a public consultation process prior to re-establishing the zone. This process involves:

Publishing a notice of the proposal inviting representations on the proposal within 14 days of the date of publication. Sending a copy of the proposal to the Officer in Charge of Lithgow Police Station and all liquor license holders and secretaries of registered clubs whose premises border on, adjoin or are adjacent to the proposed zone. A period of 30 days is given for representations to be made. Declaration of the Zone

Under Section 644B of the Local Government Act 1993:

Once Council receives public comment on this proposal, Council may by resolution, adopt this proposal (with or without modification) to re- establish the alcohol free zone for a 4 year period. Council will then inform all interested parties including the Police, liquor licensees and the general community that the proposal has been adopted. A notice will be placed in local newspapers declaring that the zone has been established and the period it has been established for. The proposal will come into effect 7 days after this notice is published and once all sign posts bordering the zone are in place. Submissions on this Proposal

People are invited to make written submissions, objections or representations on this proposal to re-establish alcohol free zones in the Lithgow, Portland and Wallerawang CBD’s. A copy of this proposal is available from

Council’s Administration Centre, 180 Mort Street Lithgow8.30am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday. Lithgow Library Learning Centre, 157 Main Street Lithgow9am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to midday Saturday. Lithgow Council website council.lithgow.com

All submissions, objections or representations are to be to be received by 31 March 2021 by mail to Lithgow City Council PO Box 19 Lithgow NSW 2790 or email [email protected]

For further information on this proposal, contact Matthew Johnson, Manager Community and Culture on 6354 9999.