A temporary holiday booze ban has been put in place for two popular Wairarapa coastal hotspots after residents complained of drunk and "menacing" holiday makers.
By Sue Teodoro of Local Democracy Reporting
Masterton District Council approved the short-term ban at its meeting on Wednesday.
The ban, passed under the council’s alcohol control bylaws, prohibits the consumption and possession of alcohol in public places at Castlepoint and Riversdale over the New Year period. It also prohibits vehicles on New Year’s Eve in the two townships.
The temporary ban, which has been imposed before, follows reports of drunkenness and vandalism at Riversdale Beach over Labour weekend.
The move was supported by local residents who attended the meeting.
A representative from the Riversdale Beach Community Association said it was not just a township made up of only holiday homes. With 220 permanent residents comprised of young families, working people and retirees, it was a normal suburb - just by the sea.
“This is our home and we should be able to walk down the road, barefoot, without fear of getting hurt when wading through intoxicated menacing groups and broken glass at any time of the day,” she said.
She said the association supported the council prohibition, which supported the Riversdale Beach Community.
John Keen from Castlepoint said the area had changed in recent times, and a major concern for the community was policing.
A report presented at the meeting said the communities of Riversdale and Castlepoint had experienced issues with anti-social behaviour and the excessive consumption of alcohol during key holiday periods with Labour Day Weekend and New Year’s Eve having been problematic.
“In recent years the prohibition on the consumption or possession of alcohol in public places has proved to be an extremely useful deterrent to anti-social behaviour at the two beach locations during these times,” it said.
“The prohibition does not apply to licensed premises or their outdoor areas, or to people carrying unopened alcohol containers from licensed premises to areas outside the alcohol-free zone or to a private property.”
It said following the issues experienced by the two beach communities the council had previously prohibited alcohol consumption in public places and the use of motor vehicles at Labour Weekend and New Year.
“This has historically led to a substantial reduction in issues at the two beach communities.”
The report said local residents and ratepayers’ associations were supportive of the bans, had noted a reduction in alcohol-related harm when they were in place, and believed it was an effective tool against anti-social behaviour.
The ban prohibits the consumption or possession of alcohol in public places at Castlepoint and Riversdale between 6pm on December 30 until 6am on New Year’s day. Vehicles would be prohibited at Castlepoint and Riversdale Beach townships between 4pm on December 31 until 6am on New Year’s day.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
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