FANCY a drink in the area near Leeton’s Rotary Park?
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
If that thirst is for an alcoholic beverage, residents will no longer be able to do so in that area, which also includes the skate park precinct.
Leeton Shire Council has re-established its existing alcohol-free zones in the town’s business areas, as well as in Yanco.
The Rotary and skate park are the two new inclusions to be covered in the zones.
Following community feedback, including from police, the existing zone in the CBD will now spread further to cover the block bounded by Sycamore, Myrtle, Wilga, Yarran and Maple Streets.
In their submissions to council, many community members wanted the zone increased due to what they said was a lack of community safety in public streets at night time.
The need for surveillance cameras to deter crime in these areas was also raised as an issue that needed addressing. “This matter is already included in council’s 2017-21 delivery program,” the council report on the matter read.
Financial implications of the renewal of the alcohol-free zones will be minimal as the existing signs will be able to be retrofitted with the new times and dates. An alcohol-free zone means it is an offence to consume, or be in possession of, an open container of alcohol in locations marked as alcohol-free zones.
They cover roads, footpaths and carparks and are enforced 24 hours of the day. Anyone who flaunts these regulations can potentially be fined $2200. The established zones will be in place for the next four years.