Takapuna residents unsurprised by alcohol harm levels
Takapuna residents unsurprised by alcohol harm levels in Auckland
Takapuna Central Residents Group which
represents 1500 plus residents living within central
Takapuna is not surprised that Aucklanders experience more
harm from alcohol than the country as a whole. Group
spokesperson Steve Schroder says that those living near the
area’s on-license venues see and hear the problems first
hand on a regular basis.
These problems include gross
intoxication, anti social behaviour, excessive noise,
violence and property damage. This behaviour is
predominately associated with the younger vulnerable age
groups. Long time residents including ex policemen and local
business owners have noticed the increasing occurrences of
public disorder and lack of respect for private property.
This type of behaviour is exacerbated when ever a 3am
special license is issued due to the increased levels of
intoxication.
Takapuna CBD building manager Brent
Mathieson says that around the weekends from the beach
reserve to Hurstmere Road he and other residents are having
to clean up the empty alcohol containers and other
associated paraphernalia on his properties boundaries in the
aftermath of pre and side loading youths using it as a
dumping ground.
Mr Schroder says the Group has
called for better controls on licensed premises in Takapuna
in their submission on Auckland’s Draft Local Alcohol
Policy.
The Group has made a number of
recommendations in its written submission on the Draft LAP,
including adding Takapuna to the Priority Overlay in Broad
Area B, maximum opening hours of 1am with no extensions, a
one way door policy, stricter criteria around the design,
build and location of on-licenses and more community
involvement in the Environmental and Cumulative Impact
Assessments.
Takapuna's unique location, compact
environment and planned future residential development will
expose it to a high level of alcohol related stress, where
high density residential populations and communities will be
exposed to a significant risk of harm from alcohol. We hope
council will address the anomalies that were created under
their old plan, which was to allow an entertainment area to
be established in close proximity to residential living
environments. If this action is taken it would ensure that
future generations will not have to endure the same alcohol
related problems and can enjoy the amenity of their
environment.
This additional evidence provided by
Auckland's Alcohol Executive Planning Group supports the
reality of the situation within our communities. The
decision makers have an opportunity to implement evidence
based policies to reduce alcohol harm. It is imperative
that these decision makers keep going back to the intent of
this legislation and the object of the Sale and Supply of
Alcohol Act (2012), and what the evidence tells us will work
to reduce harm. If we do this, decisions will be simple and
the goal of reducing alcohol-related harm within the
community will be achieved.
“We love living in
Takapuna and want to ensure that it is a safe and vibrant
place to live and play, where residents and visitors can
enjoy the unique amenities and recreationally activities
that Takapuna
offers.”
Ends…..