Alcohol free environments

Alcohol is the most widely used drug in Australia with people consuming alcohol for a variety of reasons, and in different social and cultural contexts. Alcohol can cause harm to the person who drinks and sometimes to others around them. 

The effects of alcohol misuse go beyond diseases, accidents and injuries to a range of social, economic and environmental costs to the City and the community due to anti-social behaviours such as drink driving, violence, crime, vandalism and littering, which can have a detrimental effect on the community.

Recognising there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, the City recognises its obligation to help minimise alcohol related harm through:

• Supporting safer environments for drinking
• Managing the physical availability of alcohol, and
• Planning and designing environments that support community health and wellbeing. 

Alcohol-free areas support the community by:

• Protecting the community from anti-social behaviour escalating, improving public safety 
• Encourages and normalises alcohol-free environments 
• Raising community awareness of the issues associated with consuming alcohol
• Delaying the use of alcohol by young people by modelling alcohol free or safe drinking behaviours 
• Providing a supportive environment for people who abstain from alcohol or who are trying to reduce their alcohol intake 

In WA, the Liquor Control Act 1988 provides the legislative framework for the liquor licensing authority, to regulate the sale, supply and consumption of liquor. The Act also aims to minimise harm or ill-health caused to people, or any group of people due to the use of liquor. 

Under this law, alcohol is not permitted to be consumed in any place or premise, including any park or reserve, without the consent of the occupier. 

Furthermore, the Local Government Act 1995 also prohibits the possession and consumption of liquor in thoroughfares, where the individual/s do not have a permit.
Liquor in sealed containers do not apply to this.

The City has an alcohol harm minimisation policy that focuses on the protection of public health and safety in the community through initiatives that promote responsible alcohol consumption and provide a safe and secure environment. 

Under the Alcohol Risk Minimisation Policy, the City has committed to:

• Rigorously assess all application for planning approval of licensed premises, liquor licenses and permits to reduce the impact on health, wellbeing, amenity and safety of the community.
• Encourage alcohol-free events, both ones that are offered by the City and ones that are submitted by external applicants to the City for approval.
• Prohibiting the consumption and/or supply of alcohol during youth-specific events organised by the City or by external applicants.
• Promote responsible drinking and personal accountability at events supported by and organised by the City.
• Work alongside agencies to improve public health, community safety and wellbeing and to assist with the education and promotion of responsible drinking. 
• Prohibiting consumption of alcohol in City buildings and on City owned land unless a Liquor Consumption Permit, or where appropriate, Liquor License, has been issued.
• Not issuing Liquor Consumption Permits for functions involving people under 18 years of age.