Whanganui booze ban has reduced crime

Some respondents wish to see the nighttime alcohol ban at Kowhai Park extended as part of a bylaw review. Photo / Bevan Conley

A review of Whanganui's alcohol control bylaw shows it has been effective in managing the level of crime and disorder in public spaces.

The Alcohol Control Bylaw introduced in December 2016 was due for a five-year review under the Local Government Act 2002 and Whanganui District Council senior policy analyst Justin Walters reported the findings this week.

Walters told the council's strategy and finance committee the review showed that the levels of crime and disorder before the bylaw were likely to return if it was revoked.

Existing alcohol bans in city areas were included in the 2016 bylaw along with Kai Iwi Beach area from 3pm on December 31 to 3am on January 1 annually, Victoria Park between Peakes Rd and Kent Rd near the cricket ground from 9pm to 7am the next day, a 24/7 ban in Victoria Park from Peakes Rd to Bens Place and Kowhai Park from 9pm to 7am the following day.

Walters said restrictions in the existing areas should remain.

"We also recommend that we have the ability to add temporary bans for some events," he said.

Councillor Josh Chandulal Mackay said he thought the council already had the ability to impose temporary bans where necessary.

"I thought there would have already been a mechanism for us to add bans on large-scale events if required," he said.

Walters said there was a gap in the bylaw.

"Most events are held within the existing alcohol ban areas so for the most part it's been covered by that," he said.

"However, if there was a large event held in Springvale, for example, it would be useful to have the ability to impose a temporary ban."

Councillor Rob Vinsen asked which of the existing areas were the most contentious in terms of complaints from the public.

Walters said there had been very few complaints and police had reported that the bans enabled them to ask people drinking alcohol in those areas to tip it out or move along.

Council senior policy analyst Justin Walters said the ability to impose temporary alcohol bans would address a gap in the current bylaw. Photo / Bevan Conley

"It enables them to deal with it at a low level before it becomes an issue," Walters said.

"The higher levels of offending had been reduced."

Councillor Philippa Baker Hogan asked about the officers' level of engagement with groups such as Safer Whanganui and whether there had been enough face-to-face contact.

Walters said the level of feedback from alcohol advisory stakeholders indicated that the current bylaw appeared to be working well.

Officers' engagement with Whanganui Police, alcohol licence holders, Safer Whanganui and an online community panel had drawn 14 responses.

Most said they believed the existing alcohol bans were "about right" although some sought extensions to the nighttime bans at Kowhai Park and Victoria Park sports fields.

Some wanted further restrictions in areas frequented by children and one respondent identified the upper car park at Castlecliff Beach and the Whanganui East shopping centre as places where they had seen occasional alcohol harm.

The bylaw review will open for public consultation on August 18 and information can be found on the Whanganui District Council website, Facebook page, libraries and in the Community Link newsletter in the Whanganui Midweek.