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 map
• Newport Village map
• Newport Residential Area map
• Mona Vale Village map

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

Temporary Alcohol ban on Australia Day - Mona Vale Beach

At the request of local police, Pittwater Council has declared the sand area of Mona Vale Beach an alcohol prohibited area from 6am on Thursday 26 January to 6am on Friday 27 January.

This means alcohol cannot be consumed on the sand at Mona Vale Beach during this period. Local police will enforce the alcohol ban as required.

Updated: 23 Jan 2012