A recommendation to the State Government requests the previous $22 fine be abolished and replaced with a system where offenders are required to pour their drinks out on the spot.

Offenders are currently given three warnings before they are penalised with a $22 fine, which Cr Guile says is already not enough.

“Research shows that people just go and buy more alcohol anyway,” he said.

“The fines are not nearly enough, most people would spend a lot more than that on just purchasing their alcohol.”

Cr Guile said that drinking inappropriately in public places was a big issue in the Shoalhaven, which amplifies during the holiday periods.

“We get 300,000 visitors to the Shoalhaven each year,” he said.

“We confront this issue in our parks and on our beaches and what can we do about it if our rangers don’t have the power to discourage the behaviour.”

The local government determines alcohol-free zones, while alcohol prohibited zones come under state legislation, however the penalty for each zone is common to both regimes.

Cr Guile said that under the current penalty system and with the recommended changes, council would not have the control to deter the inappropriate behaviour.

“We are constantly receiving requests to have more of these zones in the area,” he said.

“But what is the point of that if we don’t have enough of a deterrent to stamp out this behaviour.

“What kind of a message is that sending about public safety?”

Cr Guile hopes public pressure will convince the Government to reconsider the issue and strengthen the penalties.