ALCOHOL FREE ZONES WITHIN THE SOUTH WEST ROCKS CBD, CRESCENT HEAD,
HAT HEAD AND WEST KEMPSEY CBD

Kempsey Shire Council supports a comprehensive approach in tackling alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour. One of the many strategies used to address these issues is the introduction of Alcohol Free Zones (AFZ).

Alcohol Free Zones aim to reduce alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour in identified locations to assist in creating a safer environment for our residents, businesses and visitors.

Commencing on Monday, 1 December 2008, 24 hour, 7 days per week  Alcohol Free Zones will become effective within the South West Rocks Central Business District, Crescent Head, and West Kempsey Central Business District for a period of three (3) years.
Locations are as follows:

South West Rocks CBD

Alcohol Free Zones include the following streets:-

• Livingston Street from Ocean Drive to Memorial Avenue
• Prince of Wales Avenue from Paragon Avenue to Livingstone Street
• Gregory Street from Paragon Avenue to Livingstone Street
• Paragon Avenue from Gregory Street to Memorial Avenue
• Memorial Avenue from Paragon Avenue to Livingstone Street

Crescent Head

Alcohol Free Zones include the following streets:-

• Rankine Street from May Street to Pacific Street including Rankine Street Car park
• Main Street from Rankine Street to High Street (grassed median strip)
• Pacific Street from Main Street to Hill Street
• Hill Street from Main Street to Pacific Street

West Kempsey CBD

24 hour Alcohol Free Zone includes the following streets:-

• Kemp Street from Marsh to Elbow Street
• Kemp Street from Elbow to Eden Street
• Belgrave Street from Gladstone Street to Elbow Street
• Elbow Street From Kemp Street to Harold Walker Avenue
• Sea Street from Marsh Street to Elbow Street
• Tozer Street from Marsh Street to Elbow Street
• Tozer Street from Elbow Street to Kemp Street.

Commencing on Monday, 1 December 2008, an Alcohol Free Zones will become effective within Hat Head. This zone will be operational from the 1 December to 31 January for a period of three (3) years.

Hat Head

The Alcohol Free Zone will include the following streets:-

• Straight Street from Vine Street to the entrance of the Hat Head Tourist Park
• Myrtle Street from Creek Street to Bay Street.

Where an Alcohol Free Zone exists, it is an offence to drink and / or carry open containers of alcohol on any street or footpath, 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a period of up to three years within the period indicated.

Alcohol Free Zones only apply to streets and footpaths where indicated by signage.

Any existing or future footpath area licensed by the Shire for the purpose of food or alcohol consumption as part of a café or restaurant will be exempt from these restrictions.

The NSW Police are responsible for enforcing Alcohol Free Zones and any breaches should be reported to the Kempsey Police Station on telephone: 02 6563 7199.

PAYMENT OF RATES – REMINDER

Ratepayers are reminded that the second rate instalment is due for payment on or before 30 November. Failure to finalise the payment by the due date will result in interest charges. Ratepayers who have been granted a “Pensioners Rebate” have until 31 May 2009 to finalise their account in full, however arrears on a Pensioners account must be finalised immediately and is the subject of daily interest charges.

Should you be experiencing difficulties in paying your rates, please contact Council to make a suitable arrangement for settlement of the account.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST IN FOCUS GROUP ON LEARN TO SURF TOUR GROUPS

Kempsey Shire Council’s Corporate and Community Services Department invites interested members of the community to nominate as individuals and representatives of groups and businesses for potential membership in a focus group which will further develop guidelines for the operation of Surf Tour Group Operators in the Shire. You will need to have a genuine interest in producing outcomes that will enable the Learn to Surf businesses to operate harmoniously in the Shire, alongside residents and visitors.

The goals of the selection process for the focus group will be to assemble a focus group that represents a broad cross-section of our community and to draw on the community’s relevant interests and expertise in this area. It is hoped that groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, retailers, board riders and other community groups will register their interest. The focus group functions to serve the best interests of the community as a whole.

The focus group meeting is scheduled for 10am, Tuesday, 9 December 2008 and will be facilitated by Surfing Australia. However, you must register your expression of interest by Friday, 28 November 2008, at 4.30pm.

For further information and to register your interest please contact Megan Barber at Kempsey Shire Council on 65 663200.

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF DEVELOPMENT CONSENTS - ISSUED BY COUNCIL

Consent has been granted for the following applications.

A record of consents may be inspected, without charge, at the Customer First Centre of the Kempsey Shire Council, Civic Centre, Tozer Street, West Kempsey, between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm from Monday to Friday (public holidays excepted).

PUBLIC EXHIBITION - Draft Amendment - Consumption of alcohol on Public Reserves Policy - 28 Day Exhibition Period – 25.11.08 to 23.12.08

At its 11 November 2008 meeting Kempsey Shire Council reviewed a policy on the Consumption of alcohol on Public Reserves Policy and resolved to place the policy on public exhibition for community comment. As a result the Policy will be on public exhibition from 25th November 2008 until 23rd December 2008 and you are encouraged to view this document at the: Council’s Customer First Centre, 22 Tozer Street West Kempsey, Libraries at Kempsey, South West Rocks, Stuarts Point and Hat Head

The document is also available on Council’s website www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au, (following Public Exhibitions link).

If you would like to make a comment on this policy you are invited to make a written submission. All submissions received will be considered before a further report is put to Council about this policy. Submissions will be received up to 4.00 pm on 23rd December and should be addressed to the General Manager, Kempsey Shire Council, PO Box 3078, West Kempsey, NSW, 2440.