Exclusive: A widespread relaxation of public alcohol consumption laws in places like parks could be a step too far, according to a nine.com.au reader survey.
The City of Sydney council has proposed to massively reduce the number of alcohol-free zones (AFZ) and alcohol prohibited-areas (APA) in NSW’s capital.

But an exclusive survey conducted by Nine.com.au found only 20 per cent of readers want to see alcohol licensing laws relaxed to allow people to drink in more public places such as parks.

Nine reader poll drinking in public places
Only 20 per cent of readers were keen on alcohol licensing laws being relaxed. (Graphic: Polling Hanning)

An overwhelming 66 per cent of respondents said they didn’t think the laws should be changed.

A City of Sydney spokesperson told 9News there is “no robust or reliable evidence to show alcohol restrictions are effective in preventing anti-social behaviour”.

“We have recently completed a review of outdoor alcohol restrictions with local residents, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations, community legal centres, social housing residents, community organisations, local business and state government stakeholders,” the spokesperson said. 

Given this research, the council has endorsed a proposal to take almost half of the sites off the list of AFZs and APAs, reducing the number from 428 to 218.

An alcohol-free zone sign in the Kings Cross area in Sydney, Australia, on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. Australia's biggest city is dusting off long-held plans to bring the harbor metropolis to life after the sun goes down from spending on live music, and art and culture, to making late-night shopping a reality. Photographer: Brent Lewin/Bloomberg
There are 428 alcohol-free zones and alcohol-prohobited areas in Sydney. (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The restrictions on these 428 alcohol-free zones and areas officially expired on August 20.

9News is told the council is in the process of updating signage across all endorsed locations.

“Legislatively, an alcohol-free zone can be established seven days after the resolution of council or seven days after signs are updated – whichever is first,” the spokesperson explained.

There are two types of outdoor alcohol restrictions: alcohol free zones (AFZs) which apply to streets, footpaths and car parks, and alcohol prohibited areas (APAs) which apply to parks and civic spaces. 

Bag of potatoes

Weird laws from around Australia

The City of Sydney noted that community feedback indicated restrictions made some feel safer in their local area.

They reduced the list of restrictions to areas with high incidents of alcohol-related crime and areas where communities have strongly advised the laws to stay.

Fresh beer filling the glass directly from the tap.  With extra foam spilling over glass.
It comes as Chris Minns described Sydney’s outdoor drinking laws as “uesless”. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

“If an outdoor alcohol restriction applies to an area where a Sydney Streets event takes place then consumption of alcohol can only take place within licensed areas,” the spokesperson clarified.

“For these areas, businesses participating in the events can apply for liquor licenses or extensions to their existing liquor licenses for the day where attendees can purchase and consume alcohol.”

It comes as NSW Premier Chris Minns described the outdoor drinking laws in Sydney as “useless” in a bid to revive the city’s struggling nightlife.

Minns blamed the outdoor booze ban for “destroying” venues.

“For too long Sydney’s nightlife has been strangled by red tape,” he said. “Having an economy that fires up at 5pm during the week is critical for global cities like Sydney.”

*The nine.com.au poll, of 436 reader which runs once a fortnight, canvases the views of the nine audience on 9Nation, which is an online community of our readers and viewers.
You May Also Like

The Morning Briefing: The World Is Suddenly Full of International Economics Experts

Top O’ the Briefing Happy Friday, dear Kruiser Morning Briefing friends.…

Instant karma as man yanks 10ft croc’s tail before the beast snaps back and sinks its jaws into his arm

A daredevil who pulled a crocodile’s tail then rested his hands on…

WA dad calls on son's alleged attacker to face adult justice system

A Western Australian father has expressed his anger after his son was…

Edwin Arroyave explains his decision to support Teddi Mellencamp through cancer battle after she filed for divorce

Edwin Arroyave’s instinct was to take care of Teddi Mellencamp as she…