Alcohol Free Zones and Alcohol Prohibited Areas

Shellharbour City Council has established a number of Alcohol Free Zones (AFZ) and Alcohol Prohibited Areas (APA) to help reduce alcohol related crime, violence and antisocial behaviour and ensure the safety and well-being of the local community. 

It is illegal to drink alcohol in an Alcohol Free Zone and Alcohol Prohibited Area. This is enforced by NSW Police and if caught, alcohol will be immediately seized and tipped out. This includes roads, footpaths, car parks and public land.

You can view Shellharbour’s current Alcohol Free Zones and Alcohol Prohibited Areas on our mapping system below.

Alcohol Free Zones 

An Alcohol Free Zone is an area where it is illegal to consume alcohol 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Alcohol Free Zones are road related public areas such as roads, car parks and footpaths.

Alcohol Free Zone's are established under NSW Local Government Act 1993 (section 644)  in response to problems relating to anti-social behaviour and to discourage the public consumption of alcohol. Once established each Alcohol Free Zone is in place for a maximum of four years. The current Alcohol Free Zones in Shellharbour LGA were re-established on 21 December 2021 and are in force until 21 Dec 2025.

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

Alcohol Prohibited Areas

Alcohol Prohibited Areas are non-road related public places or part of a public place such as a park or reserve where the consumption of alcohol is also prohibited and the police have the power to confiscate alcohol. Alcohol Prohibited Areas are established under NSW Local Government Act 1993 (section 632A) 

Timed restrictions are in place however vary from area to area.  Shellharbour Council have Alcohol Prohibited Areas that operate 24 hours a day 7 days a week or 6pm to 6am 7 days a week. 

 

View Shellharbour’s Alcohol Free Zones and Alcohol Prohibited Areas below or download a pdf version here.

 

 

To report Anti-Social Behaviour 

If you see people drinking in an area with outdoor alcohol restrictions, contact your local police station. If a sign has been damaged, stolen or defaced please contact our Community Safety Officer via email council@shellharbour.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 4221 6111. 

Apply to Establish or Temporarily Suspend an Alcohol Free Zone or Alcohol Prohibited Area

In some circumstances, Council will consider requests to temporarily suspend an Alcohol Free Zone or Alcohol Prohibited Area for a specific period of time or event, such as a community festival. This is at the discretion of Council in conjunction with local Police. To apply for a temporary suspension of an Alcohol Free Zone or Alcohol Prohibited Area, or to establish a new zone please fill in the Application Form. 

Last updated : Tue 21 Nov 2023