Alcohol ban set to return

Bans on drinking alcohol in the heart of New Plymouth and other areas of the district are set to be back in force in time for the New Year’s Eve celebrations.

If approved at an extraordinary meeting of New Plymouth District Council tomorrow, council staff will be instructed to put up signage ready for the bylaw to begin on in the city centre on Wednesday, December 30.

The previous ban lapsed about two years ago because of a council blunder, but police only discovered it was no longer enforceable in March.

Earlier this year, councillors were told of the nuisance the lack of a ban was causing police, including a brawl involving approximately 40 people during a July weekend that saw 13 arrests for disorderly behaviour, intentional damage or assaulting police. Last month, councillors approved a draft bylaw for community feedback. The plan includes a year-round alcohol ban in the New Plymouth central business district (CBD) and Waitara central business and recreation area.

There would also be partial bans from November to March in Urenui, akura, Pukekura Park, and the Mt Bryan, East End and Fitzroy reserves.

There is also a proposal to ban alcohol from five entranceways to the TSB Bowl of Brooklands, for two hours before and after events such as concerts.

Councillor Gordon Brown, who was on the council when the original ban was imposed, said reimposing the bylaw was an ‘‘absolute no-brainer’’.

He said there was overwhelming evidence of the problems not having a ban caused.

He said the council needed the restriction in place to make a ‘‘statement that the CBD in New Plymouth is a safe place to go’’.

Doc van Praagh, owner of main street bar Crowded House, said he had always supported the return of the ban and hoped it would be in place by New Year’s Eve. ‘‘It’s good for everyone,’’ he said.

While van Praagh does not work late nights, one of his staff said the lapsed bylaw had seen Devon St get ‘‘really bad’’.

Ten submissions were received, all supporting the proposal. Among them was Teresa Hayston, from Urenui Beach Camp, supporting all bans including at the Urenui Beach Domain from 6am on New Year’s Eve until 6am New Year’s Day.

Police Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Harrison also supported the proposals.

‘‘When combined with New Year’s celebrations we want to do all that we can to minimise the potential risk to the public.’’

He added: ‘‘By restricting the presence of alcohol in the CBD, [it] may encourage more people to come into the CBD and spend their discretionary income.’’

Submitter Ronald Murray raised concerns about increased drinking at the Bowl.

‘‘Whilst the sale of alcohol inside the venue can be and is monitored, it has become obvious that an increased number of persons are either arriving at the venue already intoxicated or become intoxicated soon after arrival.’’

‘‘When combined with New Year’s celebrations we want to do all that we can to minimise the O¯ potential risk to the public.’’ Simon Harrison Detective senior sergeant