The Local Government Act 1993 provides two primary methods for councils to manage the consumption of alcohol in public places.

1.   A council may establish an Alcohol Free Zones (AFZ) on a road, footpath or public car park. The AFZ may be in force for a period of up to four years or for a special event. Police officers enforce Alcohol Free Zones. After recent changes to the legislation, the enforcement provisions related to AFZs no longer require a warning to be issued and alcohol can be confiscated on the spot if someone is drinking  thought to have intent to drink in an Alcohol Free Zone.

2.  Where a council has the control and management of parks or reserves, it may erect notices (Alcohol Prohibited Area) to prohibit the consumption and possession of alcohol and/or other activities. Fines may be imposed by police for persons acting contrary to a notice erected by a council.

Alcohol Free Zones (AFZs) and Alcohol Prohibited Areas (APAs) exist in many areas throughout Pittwater. The intention is to prevent anti-social behaviour caused by the consumption of alcohol in public places and to improve public safety. 

The following Alcohol Free Zones are effective 1 October 2009 until 30 September 2013:

• Avalon Village
• Newport Village
• Newport Residential Area
• Mona Vale Village
• Maps of above Alcohol Free Zones (available soon)

The current Alcohol Prohibited Areas that prohibit the consumption and possession of alcohol in the following parks and reserves are:

Alcohol Prohibited Area (APA) 24 hours per day

• Village Park, Mona Vale
• Spurway Park, Newport

Alcohol Prohibited Areas Evening Restricted Only (8pm to 8am)

• Warriewood Valley Sports Field, Warriewood
• Boondah Reserve, Warriewood
• Kitchener Park, Mona Vale
• North Narrabeen Reserve (excluding Pittwater Rugby Park)
• Avalon Beach Reserve, Avalon
• Des Creagh Reserve, Avalon
• Dunbar Park, Avalon
• Porters Reserve, Newport