30 August 2002

City Centre Alcohol Ban To Start September 26

The ban on drinking in public places in Auckland’s city centre will start on Thursday, September 26, Auckland City Council announced today.

The ban prohibits drinking in public places in the city centre from 9pm to 6am, from Thursday evenings to Sunday mornings, and is part of a campaign to make the city safer and more enjoyable. The ban area will be clearly signposted.

“Auckland’s city centre has a busy summer coming up and I’m delighted that the first phase of our CBD safety campaign will be in place,” said Councillor Noelene Raffills, chair of the council’s Law and Order Committee.

“Visitors and residents alike deserve an enjoyable and trouble-free night out. The ban will help the police to stop trouble before it starts.”

Details of the ban

The ban will give police the authority to move people on, remove their alcohol or, in extreme cases, arrest them. Fines of up to $500 can be imposed.

The ban only affects city centre streets and parks – people can continue to enjoy a drink in licensed bars, clubs and restaurants, including pavement seating attached to licensed premises. Off-licences are not affected either – as long as alcohol bought at an off-licence is removed quickly from any public area.
Initially, the ban will cover the main city centre, an area roughly bordered by Quay Street, Hobson Street, K’ Road, Queen Street, Mayoral Drive, Kitchener Street, Fort Street, Britomart Place and the public streets around the Viaduct Harbour. Maps of the area are available upon request by calling the council on (09) 373 6122.

The council is also working with members of the Viaduct Harbour Accord to explore the possibility of extending the ban into private areas of the Viaduct Harbour, and with council parks staff to see whether a ban extension would be justified for Albert Park, Pigeon Park and Symonds Street Cemetery.

ENDS

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