Consultation opens on proposed alcohol bylaw changes

People are being asked their views on a proposed change to the alcohol ban bylaw that, if adopted, would see new permanent bans introduced.

Consultation on the Proposed Christchurch City Council Alcohol Restrictions in Public Places Amendment Bylaw 2014 opens on Monday.

“Over the past year, there have been three temporary alcohol bans in place in areas of the city,” says Christchurch City Council Strategic Policy Manager Alan Bywater.

“These were implemented at the request of the community and with the support of New Zealand Police. They have proven successful in helping to reduce harm caused by alcohol so the Council is now proposing to make these bans permanent.”

The three areas affected by the Proposed Christchurch City Council Alcohol Restrictions in Public Places Amendment Bylaw 2014 are:

Riccarton/Ilam

The permanent alcohol ban for Riccarton/Ilam will continue to apply 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, it is proposed to extend the area into Upper Riccarton/Ilam.

Addington

It is proposed that a permanent alcohol ban area for Addington be in force from 9am to 10pm on New Zealand Trotting Cup Day, the second Tuesday in November each year.

Sumner

The proposed permanent alcohol ban would apply from 7pm on 31 December to 7am 1 January for New Year’s Eve each year. The area of the proposed permanent ban for New Year’s Eve is the same as the existing permanent ban, which starts at 7pm each Thursday night and applies until midnight at the end of each Sunday night.

“We want to know how people feel about these proposed changes and invite them to share their views,” says Mr Bywater.

People can make submissions from Monday 19 May 2014 until 5pm on Monday 23 June 2014.

A drop-in session will be held at the Upper Riccarton Library from 3.30pm to 6.30pm on Wednesday 21 May where people can talk to Council staff and make submissions.

Submissions can be made a number of ways:

- online, through the Have Your Say website: www.ccc.govt.nz/HaveYourSay/

- via email to: alcoholbylaw@ccc.govt.nz

- in writing to:

Freepost 178

‘Submissions on proposed Alcohol Restrictions in Public Places Amendment Bylaw 2014’

Christchurch City Council

Democracy Services

PO Box 73016

Christchurch 8154

Maps of the proposed ban areas along with the proposed bylaw and FAQs will be available from Monday on the Council’s website at www.ccc.govt.nz/alcoholbylaw

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