All public areas in the Robe township and Long Beach are set to be “dry” for over 10 days of the coming festive season.

Robe District Council is again looking to temporarily ban the possession of alcohol at seaside locations to commence at noon on December 22 and conclude at midnight on January 1.

The regulatory processes are under way to create the temporary dry zones and approval of the Department of Business and Consumer Services is required.

For over a decade, all public areas across the entire Robe township and Long Beach have been alcohol-free as a way of combatting ant-social behaviour by

revellers.

Robe District Council decided at a recent meeting to set the dry zones application process in train.

Councillors had considered and endorsed the written views of Senior Sergeant First Class Rick Errington, officer in charge of Millicent Police, who has responsibility for overseeing the celebrations.

Sgt Errington said he assists with the preparation and co-ordination of the police response to various events held in Robe, Beachport, Kingston and other towns and in particular New Year’s Eve.

“I write this letter in support for your submission to the Liquor Licensing Commissioner relevant to your application for temporary dry areas,” Sgt Errington said.

“Having policed in the Limestone Coast for twelve years I have witnessed the steady increase in people visiting Robe for the festive season.

“The period between Christmas Day through to New Year’s Day is exceptionally busy, drawing heavily on police resources.

“The establishment of the Dry Areas in Robe is critical in supporting the policing response in the township during this period and ensuring community safety.”

It is commonplace for over 20 uniformed police to be on duty at Beachport and Robe each New Year’s Eve.

The Robe Football Club hires personnel from a private security firm to protect its assets at the peak of the festive season.