About us

Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve gets healthy with alcohol free days

Media release: 19 December 2014

Following positive feedback from previous years, Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve north of Byron Bay will again be an alcohol-free zone on Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and Australia Day.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Tweed-Kyogle Area manager, Damien Hofmeyer, said alcohol would be banned on these days to promote a family-friendly experience.

“Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve provides the opportunity for visitors, including those with young children, to enjoy a natural coastal environment on these special days”, Mr Hofmeyer said.

“We are keen to ensure that visitors who come to experience the reserve for its natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere feel safe to do so.”

“In the past, alcohol related anti-social behaviour on these days has forced families with small children to leave the reserve”, he said.

“The reserve is home to critically endangered beach-nesting shorebirds as well as littoral rainforest, an endangered ecological community.

“We need to avoid a repeat of previous incidents of fires being lit during high fire danger periods, smashed bottles being left on the beach, and other rubbish such as plastic bags being left behind which can easily end up in the adjoining Brunswick River.”

The alcohol ban applies to all parts of Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve, including North Head and “Christmas Beach” (the north bank of the Brunswick River), from 8:00am to 8:00pm on Boxing Day and from 8:00am on New Year’s Eve to 8:00pm on New Year’s Day. The reserve will also be alcohol free from 8:00am to 8:00pm on Australia Day (26/01/2015).

NPWS officers, with support from NSW Police, will be on site to enforce the alcohol free zone. People caught breaching the ban will be issued an on-the-spot fine and escorted from the reserve.

For further information on the alcohol ban please call the NPWS Tweed Area office on (02) 6670 8600.

For further information on Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve visit http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/brunswick-heads-nature-reserve

Contact: Lawrence Orel

Page last updated: 22 December 2014