Worry over ban on liquor

A 24-hour liquor ban proposed for New Plymouth's central business district could push inner-city boozers to Pukekura Park.

Police are supporting a New Plymouth District Council proposed blanket liquor ban in the CBD to stop people congregating outside Puke Ariki library for daytime drinking sessions.

In recent weeks crowds of up to 20 youths have used the front of the library as their drinking base, intimidating both library staff and users and nearby businesses.

A council report recommends the inner-city ban but says there is a risk this could lead to displacement, where drinkers simply find another place to enjoy a tipple.

Displacement is largely blamed for the problem that exists at the library and elsewhere in the CBD since Sir Victor Davies Park came under a permanent liquor ban in 2007. Both Pukekura Park and the Coastal Walkway have been identified by the council as possible new locations for the displaced drinkers.

New Plymouth Police Senior Sergeant Robbie O'Keefe agreed there was a risk drinkers could end up in Pukekura Park and police would deal with that situation if it arose.

"But our research has shown us that is unlikely and if it did happen it might be a case of extending the ban by a block or two," he said.

Such an all-encompassing ban was not an over-reaction to the behaviour of a few and would benefit more people than it hurt, he said.

Friends of Pukekura Park president David Medway said groups of drunken youths were not currently a problem at the park, where no liquor ban is in place.

"I suppose if people did it to the detriment of other park users or, if in the course of drinking they were doing damage to the park, that would be the problem," he said.

"If they were just having a quiet beer and not interfering with anyone then you can't really take exception.

"Alcohol is legal after all."

Mr Medway said extending the 24/7 ban to cover the park would be a draconian measure and hoped it would be unnecessary.

However, the Friends supported the restrictions in place for the Festival of the Lights where alcohol is only allowed to be consumed in designated areas.

New Plymouth's CBD is already subject to weekend and area specific alcohol restrictions but the proposed blanket ban would stop almost all drinking not undertaken in licensed premises.

The ban would not apply to groups celebrating a significant event such as a wedding, anniversary or celebration, provided they were in the public place for no longer than 30 minutes.

Similar 24/7 liquor bans already exist in Hawera, Hamilton, Wanganui and Palmerston North, Mr O'Keefe said.

- © Fairfax NZ News