Christmas booze ban for Takapuna?

Measures are in place to ensure there are no Christmas spirits, or wine or beer, on Takapuna's central business district streets. Tim Lamb investigates
Alcohol could be banned from Takapuna's central business district (CBD) streets in time for Christmas if a proposal is fast-tracked through North Shore City Council. Takapuna Community Board is advocating a seven-day ban to complement those already in place at some of the city's beaches. Booze would be outlawed between 10pm and 6am. Board chair Martin Lawes says streets in Hauraki, Takapuna and Milford will be included in the proposal. ``We are not wanting to deter the families having a wine on the beach. It's the people that go down late at night that make a drinking, smoking and boozing party.'' Mr Lawes is hopeful of getting the liquor ban up and running next month. ``There are people that feel intimidated walking on the beach late at night,'' he says. ``The problem that we have got are these boot parties. The bars are doing quite a good job with making sure people don't take bottles from the premises.'' North Shore Police area commander Les Paterson supports the proposal. He says North Shore's liquor bylaws are among the most relaxed in the Auckland region, but he also concedes that the problem in Takapuna needs fixing. ``It's the same story where a small few have ruined it for everyone else, hence the talk about extending the night time liquor ban to much of the Takapuna CBD.'' North Shore City has the highest enforcement rate for underage drinkers of any city in New Zealand, prosecuting between 300-400 under-age drinkers every year. ``Our message to our youth is `have a good time but we want you to be safe and there is no negotiation over the drinking age','' Mr Paterson says. Last week, brighter street lights were installed on Hurstmere Rd to help spotlight, and hopefully deter, undesirable behaviour. Council environment programmes manager Ian Parker believes it will take about six months for any new liquor ban to be approved if it is not fast-tracked. He says Northcote and Highbury are also likely to be considered. ``These areas, it seems, are prone to problems. ``We originally held off on this because we had to get into place the trading and public places bylaw.'' The bylaw was passed in July, establishing city-wide rules for how the hospitality industry could use footpaths for dining and drinking. Brad Clark, of Takapuna Beach Business Association, says there are inconsistencies in the current bylaw that mean people cannot drink on the reserve, but can on the road next to it. ``I think it's a reasonable attempt to ensure the streets of Takapuna Beach stay family-friendly and safe.'' Should there be more liquor bans in North Shore? What do you think - email: editorshore@theaucklander.co.nz