Share your thoughts on re-establishing Alcohol Free Zones

We're seeking feedback on our plans to re-establish the current Alcohol Free Zones (or AFZs) across Wollongong, with changes to make them more targeted and enforceable. The new Alcohol Free Zones would be in place for the next four years, until 2030.

Alcohol Free Zones assist Council and NSW Police to improve and maintain community safety. They are one strategy, among many, and act as an early intervention measure to prevent the escalation of irresponsible street drinking.

We plan to:

  • Re-establish Alcohol Free Zones in Dapto, Warrawong, Berkeley, Corrimal and Thirroul.
  • Adjust the Helensburgh Alcohol Free Zones to key streets and risk areas (including the skate park car park).
  • Restructure Wollongong Alcohol Free Zones into four interlinked zones, targeted at hotspots in Wollongong CBD, Wollongong North, Wollongong Foreshore and Wollongong West.
  • Standardise signage to ensure boundary/entry coverage and add QR codes linking to online maps.

We also plan to make changes to the way the Zones are temporarily suspended to support events.

We plan to:

  • Allow temporary suspension of Alcohol Free Zones for a maximum of 10 events per year in each of the following locations: Upper Crown Street Mall (including Crown Lane), Lower Crown Street Mall, Globe Lane, the Arts Precinct, Wollongong Foreshore area, Keira Lane, Wollongong and King Street, and Thirroul.
  • Apply a temporary suspension to an Alcohol Free Zone in other areas to a maximum of two events per year.

The temporary suspensions would be subject to the relevant event organiser undertaking a formal event approval process, liaising with NSW Police and obtaining approval for a liquor licence from Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing NSW.

To find out more, you can:
To share your thoughts:
  • Complete the feedback form below
  • Complete a printed feedback form at your local library
  • Email engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
  • Write to The General Manager, Wollongong City Council, Locked Bag 8821 WOLLONGONG DC NSW 2500
  • Phone 4227 7111

Please provide your feedback by Wednesday 8 July 2026.

Please note, any submissions become public documents and may be viewed by other persons on request. Please read Council's Privacy Policy before submitting your feedback.

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