Liquor Bans Proposed for Eight Kaipara Settlements

A year round 8.30pm to 7.00am ban on liquor in public places, which has operated in Mangawhai since Christmas, is likely to be extended to Te Kopuru, Ruawai, Kaihu and five settlements along Ripiro Beach under a bylaw change proposed by Kaipara District Council.

At the same time Council is proposing to reduce Dargaville’s current 365 day, 24 hour liquor ban to the hours between 8.30pm and 7.00am.

The ban will apply to the consumption, possession or bringing liquor into a public place, which includes any place controlled by Kaipara District Council that is open to or used by the public – including roads and reserves.

Following requests by police, concerned at unruly behaviour associated with drinking, Council last year extended Mangawhai’s New Year’s Eve liquor ban to a year round one operating from 8.30pm to 7.00am. Reports from police and the community suggest this has worked well.

Council has also received requests from police for controls at Ruawai and from communities at Kaihu and Glinks Gully. It has included the other four beach settlements (Aranga Beach, Omamari, Baylys Beach and Pouto) to avoid the risk of shifting the problem from one community to another.

In considering the controls Council has tried to balance the rights of individuals to enjoy a drink with the wellbeing of the wider community.

In Dargaville’s case, it considers the present 24 hour ban may be too restrictive and needs amending.

Council has also received requests for liquor controls in a number of other places but has insufficient information to proceed with these at this stage.

The proposed bylaw changes are contained in a Statement of Proposal which is being circulated for public comment alongside Kaipara’s Long Term Council Community Plan Kaipara’s Future - Working Together 2009/19. It includes maps showing the areas affected by the controls.

Council urges people to make their views known by talking to Councillors or staff and by making a submission before Tuesday 21 April 2009.

The Statement of Proposal and submission forms can be obtained from Council offices or by emailing council@kaipara.govt.nz.