Manukau gets tough on liquor

By RENEE KIRIONA

Drunken behaviour at leisure spots has triggered a citywide liquor ban in public spaces throughout Manukau City.

The ban, imposed in a new council bylaw, will take effect on July 1.

Anyone ignoring the ban will face a fine of up to $20,000.

Mayor Sir Barry Curtis said the ban was sparked by drunken behaviour which had turned prime recreation spots like Eastern Beach and Bucklands Beach into dangerous and unpleasant places

"We have responded to a clear message from the community - alcohol abuse in public places is a growing problem and liquor bans are the only effective way to control it.

"We've adopted a carrot-and-stick approach - toughen up the rules and controls and change people's attitudes and behaviour at the same time."

The 24-hour, seven-day-a-week liquor ban will apply to all council-controlled sites. In other areas such as Cockle Bay and Howick Beach Reserve the ban will apply from 7pm Thursday to 7am Monday.

Howick resident Catherine Williams said she would miss the occasional "mature drink" with friends at Eastern Beach but she supported the new bylaw.

"My friends and I are all 30-somethings and on the occasional sunny day we will take a trip down to the beach, sunbath and sip on some chardonnay.

"We didn't cause any trouble but I suppose we can only blame the drunks for this new law."

Ken Taylor, of the Mangere Bridge Residents and Ratepayers Association, says a ban at nearby Kiwi Esplanade Reserve is overdue.

"We hear a tremendous lot of noise, especially early in the morning when people are trying to get a bit of shut-eye. And it doesn't help when you get up the next day to take your dog for a walk and step on a broken beer bottle."

But Mr Taylor saw no problem with people going to the waterfront for a quiet glass of wine.

Of 428 submissions to the council, just 12 opposed the bylaw.

Sir Barry said boozing in public was not the only "social evil" the council had been focusing on.

As of July 1 new brothels will not be allowed to open within 250m of community facilities such as schools or churches.

Gambling was also on the council's hit list, with a freeze on the numbers of poker machines and venues.

"The message I'm getting is that the public has had a gutsful of the disobedience and the poor being pulled down even further and that they want somebody to take a strongarm approach to try and eliminate the social evils that pervade not only Manukau but the rest of Auckland and the country," Sir Barry said.

The council has also been considering a new bylaw to make it illegal for prostitutes to solicit in public. If passed, street workers could face the same $20,000 fine as those caught drinking in public.

Auckland City, too, is considering bylaws that will remove the right to drink at Mission Bay Reserve and other "high-priority" areas.

The council is assessing the need for liquor bans in 28 shopping areas and parks in the city.

Liquor ban areas

* 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Manukau City Centre area, including Bakerfield Place.

Mangere Town Centre.

Otara Town Centre.

Old Papatoetoe Town Centre.

Hunters Corner.

Manurewa Town Centre.

Bucklands Beach.

Eastern Beach.

Keith Park Reserve, Roys Rd, Manurewa.

Kiwi Esplanade Reserve.

Rata Vine Reserve.

Ferguson Oaks Reserve.

Grassed reserve areas off Clayton Rd.

Whitley No 2 Reserve through to Coopers Crescent.

Otamariki Park.

All council-controlled children's playgrounds, skateparks, public reserve car parks and public roads.

* 7pm Thursday to 7am Monday

Cockle Bay.

Maraetai.

Beachlands.

Te Puru.

Howick Village shopping precinct.

Howick Beach Reserve.

Mellons Bay.