Blue Mountains News

During December and January, 26 local venues throughout the Blue Mountains are participating in the Plan B campaign, an initiative of Transport for NSW (TfNSW), to encourage local patrons to make a Plan B to get home safely after drinking alcohol.

It’s an important reminder that drink driving is never an acceptable option. Your ability to drive or ride is impacted even with small amounts of alcohol in your system.

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill issued a plea to all Blue Mountains residents to remember to have a Plan B in place if they plan to enjoy celebratory drinks.

“We all love summertime, Christmas and parties, and while I want everyone to have the merriest time over the next few weeks and months, I also want every member of the Blue Mountains community to make it home safely, every day,” Cr Greenhill said.

“Drink driving is not a plan, it’s an unacceptable risk, especially when there are so many easy alternatives. Your Plan B could be carpooling with a designated driver, grabbing a taxi or ride share, hopping on public transport, walking or using a courtesy bus, or even staying with a friend.

“Taking the time to make a Plan B could save your life, or someone else’s.”

During December and January, your Plan B won’t only keep you safe, it could also win you a swag.

If you are celebrating locally this season and are visiting participating hotels, clubs, bars and bottle shops, you can complete an entry form that asks what your Plan B for getting home safely is.

You then go in the draw to win a swag valued at $300. Every participating venue has a swag to give away and winners are drawn towards the end of January, on a date chosen by individual venues.

Drink driving is one of the leading causes of death and injury on NSW roads. During the five years to 2023 in western NSW, there were 35 fatal crashes and 47 crashes resulting in serious injuries where alcohol was a contributing factor.

Regional and outer urban areas are at particular risk given limited public transport or other options for getting home.

The licensed venues and liquor stores across the Blue Mountains participating in the Plan B campaign are:

• Gardners Inn Hotel, Blackheath 

• New Ivanhoe Hotel, Blackheath 

• Blackheath Golf and Community Club 

• The Bootlegger Bar, Katoomba 

• The Katoomba Hotel Bottle Shop 

• Station Bar and Woodfired Pizza 

• Carrington Cellars and Deli, Katoomba 

• Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, Leura 

• Leura Golf Club 

• Grand View Hotel, Wentworth Falls 

• Wentworth Falls Country Club Ltd 

• The Henry Hotel, Lawson 

• Lawson Bowling Club 

• Cellarbrations Lawson 

• Hazelbrook Bowling Club

• Hazelbrook Cellars - The Bottle-O Hazelbrook 

• Chambers Cellars, Faulconbridge 

• BWS – Springwood 

• Springwood Country Club

• Oriental Hotel, Springwood 

• Royal Hotel, Springwood 

• Chambers Cellars, Springwood 

• Winmalee Tavern 

• The Lapstone Hotel 

• The Blaxland Tavern 

• Glenbrook Panthers 

Police will also be conducting Random Breath Testing during the holiday season.