Hearings Panel recommends permanent alcohol ban in Riccarton/Ilam

A Christchurch City Council hearings panel is unanimously recommending a permanent 24 hour, seven days a week alcohol ban in public places is adopted for Riccarton/Ilam following the success of the temporary alcohol ban in the area.

The proposal will go before the Council on 27 October and, if approved, the permanent ban will come into effect immediately after the temporary ban ends on 30 November 2011. The permanent alcohol ban will apply 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to all public spaces controlled by the Council, and all roads (except a number of those through the University of Canterbury campus). It does not apply to places open to the public that are under private ownership, such as private car parks or private sports grounds.

The hearing panel’s chair, Councillor Claudia Reid says the majority of the submissions commented on the positive effect the temporary ban was having in reducing incidents of alcohol-related street disturbances, litter and vandalism in the area. She said the panel agreed that the temporary ban was working and that it should become permanent.

The six-month temporary ban was put in place to help address increased disorder resulting from the movement of people from Central City hospitality zones to suburban areas since the 22 February 2011 earthquake.

The ban makes it illegal to either drink or carry an open container of alcohol in public places and people who breach the ban may be arrested, charged and convicted.