MEDIA RELEASE

28 November 2002

Central city alcohol ban extended to Viaduct Harbour

The central city alcohol ban will be extended to include the public walkways in the American Express Viaduct Harbour from 12 December 2002.

The council tonight resolved to extend the ban to cover Market Square, Te Wero Island and Waitemata Plaza and the adjoining council owned walkways.

The ban is part of the council’s wider agenda to make the city a safer, healthier and more enjoyable place.

Councillor Noelene Raffills, chair of the Law and Order Committee, says it is about people feeling safe and enjoying a night out at the Viaduct Harbour. “We want people to enjoy themselves and if they want to drink, that’s fine – just drink in a bar, restaurant, or club not on the streets.”

She says the police and business operators in the Viaduct are very supportive of the ban extension.

Private property owners in the Viaduct have already given the police the authority to issue trespass notices to people who are in possession of, or drinking alcohol, on their land.

The ban gives the police the authority to stop drinking in public places in the Viaduct Harbour from 9pm to 6am every Thursday, Friday and Saturday through to Sunday morning.

The ban does not cover licensed bars, clubs or restaurants including pavement seating attached to licensed premises. People carrying alcohol through the ban area to a private residence or BYO restaurant will not be targeted.

The Viaduct Harbour alcohol ban compliments the central city ban introduced on 26 September 2002.

ENDS

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