We want the Northern Beaches to continue to be one of the safest areas in the country to live, work and play. We are committed to ensuring that public spaces are high quality, safe, accessible, and facilitate the healthy and active lifestyle that is important to you, the Northern Beaches community.
AFZs may be established by councils to prohibit alcohol consumption in road-related public places to reduce antisocial behaviour and crime.
There are currently 19 AFZs in place across the Northern Beaches which are all due to expire in 3 stages between 31 August 2025 and 30 June 2026. To streamline the review process and have a consistent expiration date we are reviewing all AFZs together.
On Tuesday 18 March 2025 Council resolved to publicly exhibit the proposed establishment of AFZs across the Northern Beaches.
The process for establishing an AFZ is guided by the Ministerial Guidelines for Alcohol Free Zones.
We have assessed each individual location in consultation with Police and considered information including:
You can find the answers to some common questions under the FAQs tab.
To re-establish the existing AFZs in:
To establish AFZs with altered boundaries in:
This reflects changes in community behaviour.
Not re-establishing the following AFZs after the expiry of their current term:
These no longer meet the criteria under the Ministerial Guidelines.
AFZs cover public road-related areas such as roads and adjacent footpaths, laneways and public carparks in designated areas across the Northern Beaches. Drinking alcohol in these zones is prohibited 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.
They are designed to improve public safety by preventing:
AFZs can be an effective tool in managing public spaces that are experiencing issues with antisocial behaviour related to street drinking, allowing the Police and Rangers to confiscate and dispose of alcohol if:
AFZs are reviewed in consultation with Police and the community per the Ministerial Guidelines on Alcohol Free Zones 2009. If appropriate, the elected Council can determine to re-establish the AFZ.
AFZs may also be temporarily established for special events.
View the maps of the proposed AFZs in the Summary of Assessment.
| Name | Community Safety Coordinator |
|---|---|
| Phone | 1300 434 434 (during business hours) or 131 450 (for translation services) |
| council@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au | |
| In writing | marked 'Review of Alcohol Free Zones', Northern Beaches Council, PO Box 82, Manly NSW 1655. |
*The submissions count is manually updated and only indicative until the final report is published. It reflects the total online contributions received only. Duplicate submissions will be counted as one unique submission.
**All comments in their entirety are made publicly available in the Community Engagement Report. Personal identifying information, and content which is discriminatory, hateful or which may defame, offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate will be redacted.
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We
acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their Country on which we
gather today. By these words we show our respect to all Aboriginal
people. We acknowledge Elders past, present and emerging and the spirits
and ancestors of the Clans that lived in this area.
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