ALCOHOL restrictions at reserves and beaches adopted by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council in the wake of anti-social behaviour on Australia Day in previous years are in place again.
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The extended prohibition period effectively creates a 36-hour ban on alcohol consumption from 9pm Friday until 9am on Sunday.
It means a blanket ruling is placed across all Hastings reserves and beaches during that time.
And the area’s police will be taking a hard line approach to the ban.
They will be out in force to watch over Australia Day celebrations in the aim of avoiding a repeat of 2009 and 2010 alcohol-fuelled violence.
On a positive note police spokesman Shane Cribb said the public has been generally well behaved since the implementation of the ban.
“Police encourage families to celebrate this significant day, however, they will not tolerate those that want to be a nuisance and cause trouble during the day,” he said.
“We will take appropriate action and ensure those responsible are dealt with.
“Police do not want to be the party police. We want to see everyone having a good time.
“Hopefully the day will be as successful as last year.”
Throughout the day and over the weekend, police will pay particular attention to the beaches and reserves, including Town and Shelly beaches in Port Macquarie, Rainbow Beach at Bonny Hills and various locations within the Dunbogan and Diamond Beach areas.
Police will also patrol Jonathon Dickson Reserve at Lake Cathie and Rocks Ferry Reserve at Wauchope.
If needed, police can move large numbers at once to a certain area.
Highway Patrol will be enforcing traffic related issues, in particular drink-driving offences.
And reminded motorists double demerits will be in place for speeding, seatbelt and helmet offences during the upcoming Australia Day long weekend.
ALCOHOL IN PUBLIC PLACES
* There is a 36-hour ban on alcohol consumption across all Hastings reserves and beaches from 9pm on Friday through to 9pm on Sunday.
DOUBLE DEMERITS THIS WEEKEND
* The double demerit period starts tomorrow at midnight and goes through until midnight on Sunday.
PORT MACQUARIE'S TWO-DAY PROGRAM
AWARDS CEREMONY Friday, January 25
Port Macquarie – Town Green from 6pm
2013 Australia Day Awards - 6pm
Presentation of 25 award nominees for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year and Community Group of the Year
Mayor Peter Besseling will officiate with Australia Day Ambassador Karen Banton at all official ceremonies.
Free community event with entertainment before the ceremony and a food stall manned by the Port Macquarie Lions Club.
AUSTRALIA DAY Saturday, January 26
Port Macquarie – Town Green from 8am
8am – Handicraft, market and food stalls and memorabilia hosted by Tacking Point Lions Club until 4pm.
8.30am – Mystery fun run/walk
9.30am – Face painting and jumping castle
10am until noon – Games - sack races, egg and spoon, egg throwing, wheelbarrow races
12pm until 1.30pm – Sing Australia Choir
1pm until 2.30pm – Port Macquarie-Hastings Municipal Band
2.45pm – Street parade from Historic Court House to Town Green
3pm until 5pm – Official ceremony
5pm until 7pm – Port Macquarie’s Got Talent quest
8pm until 10.30pm – Moonlight Movies – The Sapphires
Road closure
The northern end of Horton Street (Town Green) will be closed from 6am until 6pm on Saturday January 26.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council advises all vehicles be removed before this time.
LAURIETON'S PROGRAM
Camden Haven River foreshore behind Laurieton United Services Club
Breakfast sausage sizzle hosted by Rotary and Wiggly Tail
Hastings District Highland Pipe Band and Camden Haven Community Band entertain
6.55am – Official guests piped across bridge led by 48th Regiment of Foot
7am – Emcee Karen Pini welcome
– Welcome to Country by Biripai elder Uncle Bill O’Brien
– Flag raising - Camden Haven Girl Guides and 48th Regiment of Foot
– Leslie Williams MP - 48th Regiment of Foot final re-enactment
– Official address and presentation of award recipients and new citizen ceremony
11am until 3pm – DJ Steve Davis, jumping castle, giant slide, barbecue and games
11.30am – Camden Haven Dragonboat Club trials
WAUCHOPE'S PROGRAM
Bain Park from 8.30am
8.30am – competitions, face painting and displays, jumping castles.
9am – Tug-of-War and games
9.30am – Sing Australia Choir, local talent, refreshment stalls and Australian flags and tattoos distributed.
10.30am – Hastings Pipers lead official guests to stage
10.35am – Official ceremony led by emcee Neville Parsons – flag raising, Welcome to Country, Australia Day addresses, awards and citizenship ceremonies, national anthem and cutting of Australia Day cake.
For full details of all the Australia Day activities see Council’s website www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/australiaday