WAGGA City Council is likely to renew its alcohol-free zone policy for four years following a 28-day public exhibition of the policy from this Saturday.
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At Monday night's council meeting, councillors voted to support in principle the renewal of the allocated zones for four years from the expiry of the existing declaration on February 14 next year and invite public submissions over a 28-day period of public exhibition.
An alcohol-free zone can only be established on a public road or part of a public road and a public place that is a carpark or part of a carpark and extends to both sides of nominated streets and laneways in Wagga.
Section 632 of the Local Government Act 1993 also allows the establishment of zones in public places, including the consumption of alcohol not prohibited in Victory Memorial Gardens and Wollundry Lagoon Ampitheatre between 10pm and 10am, and Tony Ireland Park and skate park area at Bolton Park at all times.
The report also excludes the area leased to food outlets for alfresco dining within the nominated zones while open for business.
Crime Manager Detective Inspector Darren Cloake pledged his support for the zones to deter anti-social behaviour.
"That type of behaviour (isn't tolerated)," he said.
"(Given ) the volume of traffic, in my view, I support council's intention in acting as a deterent and clearly articulates to people it's an alcohol-free zone.
"Certainly at this point, there's nothing to my knowledge that would suggest we'd need any further (restrictions)."
Police have the power to move people on and failure to do so could result in a $550 fine for failing to obey lawful direction.
The estimated cost to update the alcohol-free zone signage is $800 as allocated in the budget.
A further report will be presented to council for adoption at the conclusion of the exhibition period.