OPPOSITION from Bundarra residents has prevented their main street from becoming an alcohol-free zone.
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Commercial Hotel publican Rose Higgins was one who was against the proposal.
“Our beautiful little town doesn’t have a problem with people being destructive,” she said.
“If anything, it’s just boys being boys.”
Mrs Higgins said their main concern was the image it would give to visitors who came to Bundarra for events such as campdrafting and rodeo.
“It would send the message out there that we are a town that has a lot of problems with alcohol and that is not the case.
“I think it’s absolutely a great outcome for the community and I would just like to stress how glad we are that common sense has prevailed.”
The application for the alcohol-free zone was submitted due to concerns about alcohol related incidents in the main street.
However, more than 20 letters were sent to Uralla Shire Council representatives, with the general consensus that alcohol-free zone signs in the main street would be a bad look for the town.
Councillors unanimously voted to scrap the idea last week. Uralla Shire Council deputy mayor Bob Crouch said he was not surprised the concept was rejected.
“We don’t doubt there is an issue here at times, but I think it’s unlikely an alcohol-free zone would solve any issues.
“The main concern from residents was the impact signs would have in the town and the impression it may give to visitors,” Cr Crouch said.
As to whether scrapping the concept will be a good thing for the town, Cr Crouch said opinions would be divided in the town.
“Those who were against it will be happy and those in favour, probably not.
“But council is there to serve the wishes of the greater community, which is what we’ve done,” Cr Crouch said.