Stores want drunks gone

construction, made business increasingly unsustainable.

Income at her business, Wellington Sewing Centre, had halved in recent months, as customers turned away from the vomit and excrement left on the streets.

‘‘It is becoming a bit of a ghetto, and it’s of huge concern to those of us who live and work there.’’

Regional Public Health medical officer Dr Stephen Palmer said a Kilbirnie liquor ban was warranted by recent data which showed the suburb was a ‘‘hot spot’’ for chronic illness related to alcohol.

The same data pointed to a rise in emergency department admissions for alcohol-related incidents in seven areas covered by the existing ban in the past eight years.

He urged councillors to consider with urgency a local alcohol policy to reduce the availability of alcohol from off-licence liquor stores.

Council proposed changes to the city’s liquor ban include extending into Brougham and Ellice streets in Mt Victoria, and removing a ban in place at the CentrePort area. Another submission sought a liquor ban in Kelburn, to capture Victoria University students.

A liquor ban prohibits public alcohol consumption, allowing police to instantly fine someone $250 for carrying an open vessel.

Councils can enforce a liquor ban under the Local Government (Alcohol Reform) Amendment Act, in areas where there is evidence of a ‘‘high level of crime or disorder’’ that is worsened by alcohol consumption.