19 June 2015

Alcohol Bans on Manurewa playgrounds must be retained

The Manurewa Local Board is calling for its residents to help collect much needed evidence to retain alcohol bans on Manurewa playgrounds which are due to lapse on the 31st of October.

“Liquor bans serve an important purpose in the community, they provide police and the community with an important tool to help keep our parks and reserves safe and enjoyable,” says Manurewa Local Board Chair Angela Dalton.

“The Local Board is proud of the fact that we’ve already collected enough evidence to retain 36 alcohol ban areas in Manurewa with support from the community and the Police. However, further evidence of alcohol-related crime and disorder is required to retain the remaining 37 park and playground alcohol bans.

“We acknowledge that there is an important balance between people being able to enjoy a picnic and a wine or beer in the park, and keeping children safe from alcohol related harm. Playgrounds should never be places where adults go to consume alcohol,” says Ms Dalton.

Of the remaining 37 alcohol bans still needing evidence, 21 of them are alcohol bans on playgrounds such as Totara Park playground, Hanford Place playground, and St Anne’s foreshore playground.

“These are popular playgrounds that are well used by the community. Alcohol bans have been put in place over them because children shouldn’t have to be exposed and put at risk by alcohol related crime, rubbish and disorder. Playgrounds are for children to play at, not places for people to drink,” says Manurewa Local Board Deputy Chair Simeon Brown.

“The Manurewa Local Board will be working with local Police, Residents Groups, Neighbourhood Support, Crimewatch and other community organisations to collect as much evidence as possible over the consultation period which starts on the 19th of June and ends on the 17th of July,” says Mr Brown.

Submission forms are available from the Manurewa Local Board office and at www.shapeauckland.co.nz. See below a list of playgrounds in Manurewa where more evidence of alcohol-related crime and disorder is needed to keep current alcohol bans.

ENDS

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