Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby says the decision to scrap the Sand Bar from operating on Mount Maunganui's beachfront this holiday period will not be reversed despite public opposition.
Mr Crosby acknowledged there had been negative feedback from the public since the decision was announced but said the decision, made by the Summer Activity Taskforce, would not change.
"The area is a liquor-free zone and having a big bar on council land has always been a delicate issue. And the reaction is understandable but our priority is public safety and ensuring the safety of public and private property," he said.
The decision to scrap the bar this year was made five months ago by the taskforce, which is made up of about 20 representatives from police, St John, fire service, Mount Mainstreet, council staff, the mayor and four Tauranga City councillors - Deputy Mayor David Stewart, Cr Wayne Moultrie, Cr Rick Curach, and Cr Bill Grainger.
Minutes of the July Summer Activity Taskforce meeting said the decision was made with a majority vote.
Cr Moultrie was absent from the July meeting but said he supported the decision.
"The decision to close the Sand Bar comes from concerns expressed by the licensing people and the police. Based on that, I was very happy to see this trial for one year," he said.
However, he does not believe that this means the end of the Sand Bar.
"This is not a life sentence. If the public demand is enough then it will probably come back," he said.
Mr Crosby said councillors not on the taskforce could have read the meeting minutes and raised any concerns.
At the time, Mr Crosby said no councillors came forward.
However, the decision to scrap the bar does not sit well with Cr Mike Baker.
Cr Baker said he had heard an "inkling" in July about the Sand Bar being removed but thought the changes were only being proposed.
He said he only became aware of the decision to scrap the bar was when he read about it in the Bay of Plenty Times earlier this month.
Cr Baker said people on the street had questioned him about removing the bar and he said he was "just as disappointed about the decision as everyone else".
Cr Baker said the bar was a safe and enjoyable place.
He owns a property about 400m from the Sand Bar and said in the time it had operated he had seen no trouble or disruptive behaviour.
After nine years of operating, the last major incident at the Sand Bar was in 2001 where problems were "fundamentally fuelled by alcohol", Mr Crosby said.
On a normal day, around 10,000 people would potentially visit the Sand Bar.
Mr Crosby said the number of people visiting the attraction could increase to around 30,000 patrons on New Year's Eve.
Mr Crosby acknowledged the removal of the Sand Bar - which started in 2000 and operated last summer from Boxing Day to January 4 - was only a one-year trial and said there was a possibility of bringing it back next year.
The Bay of Plenty Times has received significant feedback from the public and the consensus was that the decision to remove the bar was flawed.
The decision will be reviewed in February by the Summer Activity Taskforce.
Decision to scrap Mount beach bar stands
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