Auckland targets 10 areas for drink ban

By JULIET ROWAN

Sipping a wine while enjoying the view of Rangitoto Island from Mission Bay Reserve could soon be a thing of the past.

The popular picnic spot is one of 10 "high-priority areas" where the Auckland City Council is considering introducing liquor bans.

The council is considering introducing the bans under the Liquor Ban Bylaw, which came into effect last month.

The council is assessing the need for liquor bans in 28 shopping areas and parks in the city following requests from individuals and business owners.

Of the 28, 10 have been identified as "high-priority areas" where there has been "problem" drinking, including Mission Bay Reserve, Greenlane Foodtown carpark and the Newmarket, Glen Innes and Onehunga shopping districts.

Auckland City Council law and order committee chairwoman Noelene Raffills said the 32 requests for liquor bans that the council had received from the public indicated strong support for prohibiting alcohol consumption in public places. "What this shows is that alcohol in public places and the abuse of it is a significant safety issue for many people."

Public surveys conducted by the council had shown "amazing support" for the liquor ban enforced in the Auckland CBD since September 2002, she said. In addition to a reduction in serious assaults, rubbish collectors had reported a 25 per cent decrease in litter since the introduction of the ban, which was extended in December 2002 to include the Viaduct Harbour area.

The ban runs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 9pm to 6am.

Similar conditions could be imposed in the 28 areas being considered for liquor bans, but extensive public consultation would be made before any ban was introduced, Noelene Raffills said.

Police and groups including Heart of the City, the Aotea Alcohol Accord and Auckland Regional Public Health Service have called for the CBD/Viaduct Harbour ban to be extended to 24 hours, seven days a week.

Anyone caught consuming alcohol in an area with a liquor ban is liable for a $500 fine but police will first ask the person to tip out the alcohol.

"Everybody gets given the opportunity to understand what the rules are," said Senior-Sergeant Danny Meade of Auckland Central police.

Top 10 for bans

* Otahuhu business area

* Glen Innes business area

* Parnell main street

* Mission Bay Reserve

* Panmure shopping centre

* Avondale town centre

* Newmarket business centre

* Greenlane Foodtown carpark

* Blockhouse Bay main street

* Onehunga business area

Other 18 areas being considered for liquor bans

* Auckland Domain

* Blockhouse Bay Beach Reserve

* Blockhouse Bay Library Carpark

* Central Premier City Parks

* Judges Bay

* Jolsen Road

* Lumsden Green

* Miranda Reserve

* Mt Eden Reserve and carpark

* Mt Wellington Rd/Penrose Rd Big Fresh shopping complex

* Newmarket Park

* Orakei Basin parking area

* Riversdale Reserve

* Royal Oak Shopping Centre

* St Heliers township and foreshore

* Tahuna Torea Reserve

* Tamaki Drive

* Waiotaiki Bay and foreshore