Give boy racers use of carpark: city 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

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Vito   #5   05:50 pm Mar 17 2010

Sigh, You got it right out of town out of sight and easy to police. Thats whats needed. A shame that they will want booze there cause that will stop it happening.

Sigh   #4   07:11 pm Mar 16 2010

Theres people banging on the ICCs door asking for help to build a drag strip for these jokers at Teretonga and the ICC arent listening. What the heck! A bloody good solution for all i say!

snortingkiwi   #3   06:57 pm Mar 16 2010

Hope they(boy / man and woman) racers have a spare set of tires as they leave; being so close to the police station and all.

Vito   #2   05:54 pm Mar 16 2010

Cr Wayne Harpur has a screw loose! Who would want the noise in town. Not me, if you want them in an area where the public can see and hear them you will be asking for trouble. Let them find legal entertainment as the rest of the comunity does. They can join a car club or speedway if they wish.

living in the city   #1   05:30 pm Mar 16 2010

It does not sound a bad idea if you do not live close from the car park!! I do not support this because we are living in center of city. We have already got enough issues from boy racer!!!

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