Alcohol Free Zone and Alcohol Prohibited Areas

What is an Alcohol Free Zone (AFZ)?

An Alcohol Free Zone (AFZ) covers roads, footpaths and carparks.

Manly Council has established an AFZ in the Manly CBD (please view map)

• AFZ APA street map May 2011.pdf (521.62 KB)

Alcohol Free Zones promote the use of roads, footpaths and carparks in safety and without interference from irresponsible street drinkers.

The intention of an Alcohol Free Zone is to combat anti-social behaviour and to address community concern for specific locations. An Alcohol Free Zone can be an effective tool used by Manly Police and authorized Council Rangers to prevent the escalation of irresponsible street drinking to incidents involving serious crime.  For example, Police and Council’s Night Rangers stringently enforced the AFZ during Australia Day 2010 in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable day for residents and visitors to Manly.

Any person observed to be drinking in an Alcohol Free Zone may have the alcohol in their possession immediately seized and tipped out or otherwise disposed of.

Manly Council closely follows Ministerial Guidelines on Alcohol Free Zones (February 2009) which give direction on operation, signage and enforcement.  Part 4 ‘Street Drinking’ Sections 642-648 of the Local Government Act 1993 provide guidance on the establishment, operation and enforcement of Alcohol Free Zones.

The Alcohol Free Zone is in effect for 24 hours a day/7 days a week for a four year period until 11 July 2014. 

What is an Alcohol Prohibited Area?

Alcohol Prohibited Areas apply to all the parks, beaches, reserves and ovals signposted as alcohol prohibited in the Manly LGA.  Manly Council enforces these zones through Section 632A of the Local Government Act. 

Alcohol Prohibited Areas apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Signage has been in place in these areas for many years.

Manly has a particular problem with alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and has recently been designated a ‘high-risk’ precinct as part of the State Government’s Hassle Free Nights programme.  Whilst most drinking does not result in anti-social behaviour, Manly Police have over the years been called out to several beach and park locations due to crowds of unruly party-goers.  Police and Authorised Council Rangers are unable to control such situations without proper signage. 

Identifying areas requiring enforcement are just part of Council’s strategy to reduce alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in Manly.

Raising awareness of Alcohol Free Zone and Alcohol Prohibited Area restrictions

In line with a change in legislation - the Local Government Amendment (Confiscation of Alcohol) Act 2010 - Council has updated the resource ‘Know the Signs Avoid the Fines’.  This shows the locations and differences between the AFZ and APAs.  Enforcement of the AFZ and APAs is now consistent, and any person observed to be drinking may have the alcohol in their possession immediately seized and tipped out or otherwise disposed of.

• AFZ APA Know the Signs Avoid the Fines poster.pdf (572.35 KB)

Communities NSW have also produced a poster for display in licensed premises and bottle shops in Manly’s CBD.  This poster has been developed as one of the strategies of the Hassle Free Nights initiative.  More information on Hassle Free Nights is available at: 

• nsw.gov.au/hassle-free-nights

The ‘Respect our Community’ poster encourages visitors and residents to refrain from drinking or carrying opened alcohol on the streets, parks or beaches of Manly.

• Respect our Community poster.pdf (4.03 MB)

For further information or for copies of any of the resources displayed, please contact Council’s Community Safety Coordinator on (02) 9976 1567.