Give boy racers use of carpark, says councillor

An Invercargill city councillor has suggested boy racers be given use of a city carpark on weekend nights – near the police station.

The Southland Times last week reported that Invercargill's boy racers want the council to provide them with places to do burnouts and skids, drink alcohol and hang out with their mates.

Cr Wayne Harpur, speaking at yesterday's community services committee meeting, said the youngsters were genuine members of the community and the city council should seriously consider their request. Giving them an out-of-town location would result in them being out of sight and out of mind, so he suggested giving them use of the Deveron and Don streets carpark, which had a toilet and was about half a block from the city police station.

Cr Harpur said the council had last year agreed to close Don St so Invercargill Licensing Trust bar The Kiln could have a Christmas party, so why couldn't it close a carpark for the youngsters at weekends? "I am sure the older people in the community would quite like it if they were all in one place rather than all over town."

Committee chairman Neil Boniface said the council couldn't condone giving under-18-year-olds a location to drink alcohol because it was against its policy.

The council should first speak with police before making a decision, Cr Boniface said.

Cr Lindsay Thomas said giving the youngsters a spot to meet didn't give the council a mandate to tell police to look after it; while Cr Norman Elder said if the youngsters were given their own city location they would have to agree to be responsible and not cause any damage.

Mayor Tim Shadbolt said a lot of the issues related to a conflict the youths were having with police.

The community had tried to work through the issues and should continue to do so, he said.

Cr Jackie Kruger asked whether the youngsters would be willing to abide by some rules if given the use of a carpark.

The city councillors agreed to hold a workshop with affected parties before making a decision.

- © Fairfax NZ News