Downtown Community Ministry

Bulletin

7 May 2008

Council’s Liquor Bylaw Amendment Fails to Consider Key Issues

As submissions close today on the proposed amendment to Wellington City Council’s Liquor Control Bylaw, Downtown Community Ministry says effective options are still available to address the issue.

Downtown Community Ministry Director Stephanie McIntyre says, “We remain unconvinced that enough evidence exists to support this amendment especially when tried and true options used elsewhere have not been explored.”

“Peak periods of criminal offending are already covered by the existing bylaw and many of the instances of antisocial behaviour we see reported can be enforced through existing laws,” she says.

DCM says in its submission that attention should be placed on the access and availability of alcohol within the inner city. Strategies for this include limiting the number of liquor outlets in the inner city and their opening hours, consulting with industry peak bodies to participate in campaigns designed to reduce street drinking and the impact of public alcohol consumption.

The submission also calls for a Wet Garden to be built within the inner city. This facility would “offer street drinkers a safe space to consume alcohol, at a managed site, staffed by professional services.”

Stephanie says she was able to view an example of a Wet Garden on her trip last year researching Wet Houses. “Strategies, such as this, provide positive experiences for people who struggle with alcohol dependency.”

DCM’s submission will be available for viewing at www.dcm.org.nz

ENDS

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