Re-establishment of Alcohol-Free Zones

Submissions closed 24 September 2021, 5:00PM

Alcohol free zone street sign

We're seeking to re-establish Alcohol-Free Zones (AFZs) in the Cessnock Local Government Area. The current zones are due to expire on 31 October 2021.

Following community and stakeholder consultation in July 2021, we're proposing to create AFZs on new streets connecting with the existing AFZs in Cessnock and Kurri Kurri town centres. We're proposing to not re-establish a section along Vernon Street, Cessnock.

AFZs are an important tool for Police in dealing with alcohol consumption and disorderly behaviour on public streets.

The AFZs are established under the Local Government Act 1993 for a period of up to 4 years and cover public roads, footpaths, nature strips, laneways and car parks.

Proposed Alcohol-Free Zones

Cessnock

Wollombi Road 
Wollombi Road from Alexander Street to Westcott Street

Maitland Road 
From Allandale Road to Vincent Street, including the lane to the Apex Park car park

Vincent Street 
From Maitland Road to Cessnock Street, and into Cessnock Street

Snape Street
From Charlton Street to Vincent Street

Charlton Street
From the bridge over Black Creek and the Council car park behind Cessnock Library to Snape Street

Cooper Street and Keene Street
From Cumberland Street to Keene Street, and all of Keene Street

Hall Street
Hall Street from Cumberland to Darwin Street

Darwin Street 
From South Avenue to North Avenue

North Avenue 
From Darwin Street to Keene Street

Castlemaine Street
From Vincent Street to Cumberland Street

Cumberland Street 
Cumberland Street from Aberdare Road to Yango Street

Yango Street and Victoria Street 
Yango Street and Victoria Street near Bridges Hill Park

Proposed removal of Alcohol-Free Zone

Vernon Street 
From Allan Street to Quarrybylong Street

Map of proposed alcohol free zones in Cessnock

Click here(JPG, 1MB) to view larger map.

Kurri Kurri

Lang Street
From Alexandra Street to Mitchell Avenue/Victoria Street

Unnamed Lane parallel parallel to Maitland and Lang Street
From Mitchell Avenue to Merthyr Street (next to Worthington Park)

Mitchell Avenue / Victoria Street
From Unnamed Lane to Lang Street to Barton Street

Barton Street
From Allworth Street to Victoria Street

Allworth Street
From Brunker Street to Barton Street including the laneway behind the Kurri Kurri Community Centre and the laneway between Brunker Street and Lang Street.

Map of proposed alcohol free zones in Kurri Kurri

Weston

Cessnock Road
Between Hall Street and unnamed land west of Station Street

Station Street
Between First Street and Cessnock Road

 Map of proposed alcohol free zones in Weston


Frequently Asked Questions

Are parks included in Alcohol-Free Zones?

No, Alcohol-Free Zones only relate to public roads, footpaths, nature strips, car parks, laneways and other street related locations. Parks can be included in Alcohol Prohibited Areas, which is managed through a separate process.

What's the difference between an Alcohol-Free Zone and an Alcohol Prohibited Area?

Alcohol-Free Zones prohibit drinking alcohol on public roads, footpaths, nature strips, car parks and laneways.

Alcohol Prohibited Areas prohibit or restrict drinking alcohol on public parks, sporting fields, playgrounds and reserves. 

There are separate processes for managing Alcohol-Free Zones and Alcohol Prohibited Areas.

Who enforces Alcohol-Free Zones?

NSW Police Officers and Enforcement Officers have the power to confiscate alcohol in these areas.


More information

The proposed Alcohol-Free Zones are to promote safer communities, a key objective of Cessnock 2027 Community Strategic Plan.


Submissions are not kept confidential. Council releases submissions when a request is made in accordance with privacy laws and the relevant provisions under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.  When a submission is released by law, Council routinely withholds contact numbers, email addresses and signatures. Should you wish for all personal details or any information that may identify you to be withheld from the public, please advise Council of this in your submission.