Under section 66N of the Summary Offences Act 1953 (SA), the Attorney-General may declare a defined area of one or more public spaces to be a declared public precinct for a period specified in the declaration. An area may not be a declared public precinct for more than 12 hours in a 24 hour period unless the Attorney-General is satisfied that special circumstances exist to warrant it.

Declaration is made by notice in the Gazette and any notice of declaration must be published on a website accessible by the public free of charge.

Police generally notify the public about declared public precincts on the SAPOL website.

Common areas that have been made declared public precincts include parts of the Adelaide CBD (as an ongoing declared public precinct), the Adelaide CBD during the Fringe Festival, and Glenelg during New Years Eve celebrations each year.

Police officers have the power to carry out metal detector and general drug detection searches in declared public precincts [ss 66R, 66S].

Remaining or re-entering after order to leave [s 66O]

It is an offence to remain in a declared public precinct after having been ordered to leave by a police officer, or to re-enter the precinct during the declared public precinct period.

Maximum penalty: $1,250.

Police may use reasonable force to remove a person from a declared public precinct if they fail to leave or re-enter.

Offensive or disorderly conduct [s 66P]

It is an offence to behave in an offensive or disorderly manner within a declared public precinct. Offensive or disorderly conduct under this section does not include behaviour involving violence or a threat of violence.

Maximum penalty: $1,250 [expiation fee: $250].

Offensive weapons and dangerous articles [s 66Q]

It is an offence to carry an offensive weapon or dangerous article within a declared public precinct.

Maximum penalty: $10,000 or 2 years imprisonment.

Failure to comply with barring order [s 66T]

If a person within a declared public precinct commits an offence that may pose a risk to public order or safety, or behaves in an offensive or disorderly manner, a police officer may bar the person from entering or remaining in the precinct for a period of time.

It is an offence for a person to enter or remain in a declared public precinct from which he or she has been barred.

Maximum penalty: $2,500.

Hindering police [s 66U]

It is an offence to hinder or obstruct a police officer exercising their powers under sections 66R [Power to conduct metal detector searches] or 66S [Power to carry out general drug detection].

Maximum penalty: $2,500 or 6 months imprisonment.