Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve near Ocean Shores will again be an alcohol-free zone on Boxing Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and Australia Day.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Tweed Byron Area Manager, Sue Walker, said following positive feedback from previous years, alcohol would be banned on these days to promote a family-friendly experience.
"Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve is a place for visitors, including those with young children, to enjoy a natural coastal environment on these special days", Ms Walker said.
"Visitors who come to experience the reserve for its natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere should feel safe to do so," she said.
"In the past, alcohol related anti-social behaviour on these days has forced families with small children to leave the Reserve.
"The temporary ban also aims 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 polluting the Brunswick River and threatening marine animals.
"People are reminded that these beaches are not patrolled and swimming is not recommended.
"The reserve is a breeding site for critically endangered beach-nesting shorebirds and protects coastal rainforest, an endangered ecological community," Ms Walker said.
The temporary alcohol ban applies to all parts of Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve, including North Head and Harry's Hill, aka Christmas Beach (the north bank of the Brunswick River) on:
- Boxing Day (26 December)
- New Year's Eve (31 December)
- New Year's Day (1 January).
The Reserve will also be alcohol-free on Australia Day (26 January). The temporary alcohol bans are in force all day (24 hours) on the days listed.
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.
