A permanent year-round liquor ban is to set to come into force in Te Puke township, in line with similar bans in place in Katikati and Waihi Beach. Photo/file
A permanent year-round liquor ban is to set to come into force in Te Puke township, in line with similar bans in place in Katikati and Waihi Beach.
This week at a Western Bay District Council policy and strategy committee meeting, councillors unanimously voted to impose a 24-7 year-round ban in Te Puke township, as part of a review of the district's alcohol control bylaw.
I think the community has had enough of this sort of loutish behaviour.
The proposed ban would cover most licensed premises, and other problem areas identified as seats at the end of Countdown carpark, Jubilee Park and Memorial Hall.
The ban was expected to be ratified by full council later this month, and come into effect on October 1.
Maketu-Te Puke ward councillor Kevin Marsh said he urged council to impose the ban.
In December, Mr Marsh and his wife Andrea were abused by a group of drunks sitting outside a Te Puke butchery shop, which happened a couple of days after he met police over complaints received from some town retailers.
Mr Marsh said the liquor ban would give police greater powers to deal with alcohol-related crime and disorder in the township.
"I think the community has had enough of this sort of loutish behaviour. The 24-7 ban will give police another tool to stop it."
Mr Marsh said there was enough evidence to justify the ban after council had considered community feedback, crime statistics, and had clear backing from police.
A 24-7 ban in Te Puke would be consistent with the majority of the community's feedback during a recent consultation process, he said
Western Bay Mayor Ross Paterson said the current liquor bans in Katikati and Waihi Beach had been highly successful with almost nil incidents since the bans came into force.
Tauranga police's alcohol harm reduction officer Sergeant Nigel McGlone said under current legislation liquor bans can only be introduced on an evidential basis.
"We [police] are obviously happy than the evidence police presented to council has helped give councillors some of the ammunition they needed to convince them that a 24-7 year- round ban in Te Puke is needed," he said.
Anyone caught consuming alcohol or in possession of booze in a liquor ban area would be liable to an instant fine of $250, he said.