Editorial: Liquor ban deserves support

Good on Papamoa Progressive Association for coming up with a beach liquor ban compromise.

The organisation is proposing a permanent 10pm-7am liquor ban for the Papamoa coastline in a bid to rid the area of night-time disorder and noise associated with drinking.

It also wants the ban to cover Papamoa Domain, Harrison's Cut carpark and the carpark opposite Stella Place, Taylor Reserve, Motiti Reserve and Topaz Drive Reserve, and include urban areas covered in the summertime ban.

I like this idea because it protects the rights of responsible adults who want to enjoy a beer or wine on the beach with lunch or dinner while dealing with the issue of hoons causing problems.

There's nothing like sitting on a blanket with drink and food and watching the sun set and I have fond memories of doing just that at Papamoa.

Association boss Steve Morris is right in saying the proposal will be less intrusive than existing bans in the Tauranga and Mount Maunganui CBDs, and other city parks such as Memorial Park.

He has good reason to be cautious.

The city council in 2010 rejected moves to introduce liquor bans in a number of trouble spots, including the coastline from Mauao to Kaituna River, because of public concerns about the impact on law-abiding, sensible people wanting a quiet drink on the beach.

Papamoa's bid follows efforts to fast-track a liquor ban at Greerton where locals are concerned at the behaviour of vagrants and anti-social people. I have previously written about the Greerton issue and believe a ban there is warranted.

A clear link between alcohol and night-time disorder generally is well documented and this new Papamoa proposal makes sense.

There should be no need for any responsible person to be drinking on the beach after 10pm.

I hope the council approves it.