Exhibition Item

Maitland City Council currently utilises the Alcohol Policy – Sportsgrounds, Facilities & Reserves 2012 to provide sporting bodies, user groups, casual hirers and the wider community, a set of established standards relating to the sale, consumption and storage of alcohol within Council venues. The Policy maintains the times at which alcohol can be sold, including a specific timeframe at sportsgrounds between junior matches concluding and senior matches commencing. This policy also outlines the implications of failing to comply with the stipulated conditions, and the documentation required by Council if a hirer will be permitting the consumption of alcohol as part of their booking.

A recent review has been conducted on this policy, with the proposed changes of the Policy summarised as follows:

1. Changes to reflect current wording/naming conventions. 

   1.1 Policy name change, from Alcohol Policy – Sportsgrounds, Facilities & Reserves to Alcohol Policy – Sportsgrounds, Venues & Reserves

2. Revision to any legislative or policy changes
3. New condition implemented to better reflect Council’s position and ability to decline applicants of their booking, if required, regardless of whether a liquor license has been approved.
4. New condition implemented to outline the hirers responsibility to provide Council with a copy of the Liquor licence after approval by the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA)
5. The Conditions for the Sale, Storage & Consumption of alcohol have been identified separately as sportsgrounds and community venues/reserves. 
6. New condition implemented surrounding the Alcohol-Free Zones and Alcohol Prohibited areas, with specification for allowances when an Alcohol-free zone has been suspended with approval by Council.
7. Reference to fines being applicable as per the fees and charges schedule, in the instance where the Policy, Council’s conditions or Legislation has not been adhered to.