Wingecarribee Shire Council has given the church permission to run the free sausage sizzles from 9pm to 1am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Pastor Ian Salmond said the sausage sizzle was an attempt to interrupt the alcohol cycle in Bowral, by encouraging drinkers to take a break from drinking, as well as discouraging drinking on an empty stomach.

“The idea is to break the cycle, to stop people from wandering aimlessly,” Pastor Salmond said.

As a volunteer for Drug Arm for many years, Pastor Salmond has had experience with similar successful programs at the Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

“The last few weeks have been hectic for police,” Pastor Salmond said.

“I’ve talked to the police about it and they have been supportive.”

Pastor Salmond said the free sausage sizzle would close before the hotels’ closing time so that patrons would not congregate in the plaza after leaving the hotels shut.

However, volunteers will stay around until 2am to help drinkers get home safely if necessary, he said.

“We’re not going to be replacing the taxis but we will be about to help,” he said.

The program will be funded by the Church of Christ, although support from local businesses would be welcomed.

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Monday, July 28