Drug and alcohol initiatives

First stop for Summer Bus
Patrons of the city’s clubs and pubs have another late night alternative transport option available to them with the recent launch of the Summer Bus service for 2007-08.

The Summer Bus is a community road safety initiative of the RTA that has the full support of Wollongong City Council.

The service provides our city with an important alternative transport option that helps make our community safer through the prevention of drink driving and drink walking incidents.

Timetables and more information are available at the Summer Bus website.

Drug action information exchange
This is a quarterly meeting providing an opportunity for frank and open discussion about:

• current drug usage in the region
• issues and concerns associated with that drug use, particularly the impact of drugs on the user and the broader community

Membership includes:

• politicians
• police
• treatment services for drug and alcohol use
• mental health services
• ambulance service
• Wollongong City Council management

The Wollongong local government area licensing accord
The Wollongong LGA Licensing Accord is an agreement developed by a number of local stakeholders including Council, which aims to:

• reduce alcohol related harm in the Wollongong LGA
• reduce alcohol related crime in the Wollongong LGA
• improve safety in the Wollongong LGA
• improve the social environment and well being of people in the Wollongong LGA

The Licensing Accord includes 14 principles which Accord members agree to support and uphold. The principles cover the following key areas:

• responsible service of alcohol
• high levels of safety and security
• commitment to being a good neighbour
• cooperating with police and community to improve local outcomes

Alcohol free zones
Alcohol Free Zones are established at the request of the public, police or Councillors, to prevent public drinking on streets and footpaths within the designated areas. These Zones need to be endorsed by Council and placed on public exhibition before they are ratified. They usually span three years. The current Alcohol Free Zones are located in:

• Wollongong CBD and foreshore
• Dapto CBD
• Thirroul CBD and beach
• Warrawong CBD
• Helensburgh
• Berkeley

Penalties
For consumption in a public reserve - maximum penalty $1100 if dealt with by a Court or on the spot penalty $110.
 
For consumption on a road or footpath in an Alcohol Free Zone - maximum penalty and on the spot penalty $22.