14 December 2006

Alcohol bans to be introduced in city parks

Auckland City will introduce new interim alcohol bans in several city parks over the next nine months in a bid to reduce liquor-related disorder and vandalism.

The bans will be enforced from 10pm on Thursday nights to 6am on Sundays. They will be in place from 18 December 2006 until 31 August 2007.

The chairperson of the Planning and Regulatory Committee, Councillor Glenda Fryer, says the alcohol bans are one tool at the council's disposal to reduce intoxication in city parks.

"Many of the parks and reserves we're targeting are the scene of intoxicated and disorderly behaviour including violent offences and vandalism.

"We do not want to see our parks become havens for drunk and disorderly behaviour and that's why we're taking this step.

"The central city alcohol ban has proved very effective and we hope that the bans in parks will be just as successful in reducing intoxication and the resulting crime and public nuisance problems."

Ms Fryer says the level of crime in some of the areas targeted is quite concerning. On One Tree Hill Reserve, for instance, there have been more than 100 violence, disorder and damage offences committed in a one-year period which have been largely related to intoxicated behaviour.

She says the areas chosen for the interim liquor bans have been selected because they were identified as high-risk by the police, local communities and the council.

The areas concerned are: * all on road car parking in Cliff Road, Achilles Point, Springcombe Road, Glover Park, Waitara Road and the Glover Park car park, St Heliers * Tamaki foreshore, from Pt England car park Riverside Avenue and Dunkirk Rd to. and including. Panmure Wharf, Panmure * Seaside Park, Sturges Park, and Murphy Park (and associated car parks), Otahuhu * reserves and access roads to those reserves from Alan Wood Reserve to War Memorial Park Wesley, (including Hendon Park, Underwood Park and McGehan Close reserve and Walmsley Park ) and all associated car parks

* Manukau foreshore (from Avondale South Domain through to Wesley Bay and Taylors Bay), including the access roads to car parks and reserve areas, and the entire Blockhouse Bay Beach Reserve, including the area bordering Taunton Terrace

* the access roads to the car parks and parks of Margaret Griffen Park and Lynfield Reserve, Lynfield

* Buchanan Park and Tin Tracks Reserve, Onehunga

* One Tree Hill car park, Greenlane

* Mt Eden summit car park, Mt Eden

* Mt Albert, Summit Drive, Mt Albert

* Coyle Park, Harbourview Reserve and Raymond Street Reserve, Pt Chevalier.

The council has consulted with the police who have indicated that they will enforce liquor bans in these areas.

The liquor bans in the parks will continue until 31 August 2007 when their effectiveness will have been evaluated and a decision made as to whether the bans will remain in place permanently.

ENDS

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