26 October 2007

Fireworks and liquor bans this Guy Fawkes

Auckland City Council has put a fireworks and liquor ban in place along Tamaki Drive from Saturday, 3 to Tuesday, 6 November 2007.

The council and New Zealand Police are implementing the ban, which aims to make public spaces such as parks and beaches safer for everyone this Guy Fawkes.

"Most people enjoy letting off fireworks and while we don't want to stop people celebrating, we have a responsibility to prevent injuries," says the council's parks services manager Mark Bowater.

In previous years, the police and the council have set up a controlled area at Mission Bay to help manage the crowd, but that has become unmanageable and potentially dangerous.

"Too many people in a small space combined with fireworks and alcohol, creates a potentially lethal combination and is difficult to manage safely," says Mr Bowater.

This is the third year the Council and the police have introduced a ban along Tamaki Drive. The ban does not prevent people letting off fireworks on private property.

The ban includes:

* Achilles Point * Kohimarama beach * Ladies Bay * Michael Joseph Savage Memorial * Orakei Domain * Selwyn Domain * St Heliers Bay beach * Vellenoweth Green * Watene Reserve * Okahu Bay and Okahu Landing * Whenua Rangatira * Glover Park * Madills Farm * Tahuna Torea * Mechanics Bay * Tamaki Drive from Mechanics Bay to Achilles Point.

In addition, gates to some of the city's parks on volcanic cones will be closed at the earlier time of 6pm between November 3 to 6. Parks affected are: * Maungawhau-Mt Eden * Owairaka-Mt Albert * Maungarei-Mt Wellington * Michael Joseph Savage memorial * Maungakiekie-One Tree Hill * Puketapapa-Mt Roskill.

ENDS

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