30 October 2006

Fireworks and liquor bans in place this Guy Fawkes

Auckland City has put in place a fireworks and liquor ban along Tamaki Drive between Friday 3 and Monday 6 November.

The council and the police are working together to implement the ban. "The main reasons for the ban are for public safety and to prevent people from being seriously injured during the Guy Fawkes' season," says Councillor Penny Sefuiva, chair of the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee.

The ban is in place along Tamaki Drive from Ngapipi Road to St Heliers, including Watene Reserve, Okahu Bay, Orakei Domain, Whenua Rangatira (Bastion Point), Michael Joseph Savage Memorial, Selwyn Domain, Kohimarama Beach, Vellenoweth Green, St Heliers Bay Beach, Ladies Bay and Achilles Point.

In past years, the police and the council have set up a controlled area at Mission Bay beach to help manage the crowd, but that later became unmanageable and potentially dangerous.

"Too many people in a small space combined with the presence of fireworks and alcohol creates a potentially lethal combination and is difficult to manage safely.

"Most people enjoy letting off fireworks and, while we don't want to stop people celebrating on their own property, we have a responsibility to prevent injuries," says Councillor Sefuiva.

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

"Government will be looking at how councils can effectively manage Guy Fawkes and public safety in light of recent calls to change legislation in this area.

"People expect our beaches and parks to be safe environments at all times of the year, and this fireworks ban is one way we can help to achieve this in the short term," says Councillor Sefuiva.

For further information visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/fireworksban or phone (09) 379 2020.

ENDS

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