BRIAN Navin Reserve has been made an official 24-hour alcohol free zone to deter anti-social behaviour within the reserve and support local police in reducing alcohol related crime in the area.

Coffs Harbour City councillors unanimously voted for the reserve to become an alcohol prohibited area at Council’s Ordinary Meeting on Thursday 25 March.

The reserve is located in Columbus Street, Coffs Harbour, and is situated between Park Beach Plaza and Park Beach Road and is used as a pedestrian walkway by people travelling between retail venues and nearby residential housing.

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There are two existing alcohol prohibition signs on the site, but no previous record of a Council resolution supporting the ruling.

Coffs Clarence Local Area Command conducted a Community Safety Audit of the reserve in response to a number of anti-social behaviour incidents and complaints from nearby residents.

Police recorded 67 anti-social incidents on the reserve in 2020 and determined that most incidents were related to alcohol intoxication, generally occurring during daylight hours.

The police audit recommended the implementation of a 24-hour alcohol prohibition area for the reserve.

Initiating a 24-hour alcohol prohibition area at the reserve empowers police to manage alcohol related anti-social behaviour with little impact on other park users.

A Council report on the issue stated that the anti-social behaviour at the reserve was “not conducive to creating a safe and inviting atmosphere within a primarily residential area.”

“Alcohol prohibition encourages more use of the Reserve which will in turn increase the safety and amenity of the area,” the report stated.

“The signs will provide Police with the power to confiscate or dispose of alcoholic drinks consumed by Reserve users.”

Police will conduct additional patrols within the reserve to reinforce the prohibition and effect a change in behaviour.

Council advertised the proposition to install the alcohol prohibition area from 6 February to 5 March on it’s ‘Have Your Say’ page on its website, with two responses recorded in favour of the prohibition.

By Emma DARBIN