Alcohol free zones and times proposed for Lower Hutt

Hutt City Council may soon be asking residents what public places should be designated alcohol free zones and if some or all public areas in Lower Hutt should be alcohol free from 9pm to 5am.

The Proposed Control of Alcohol in Public Places Bylaw 2016 will be before Council on 2 August. Mayor Ray Wallace will be recommending it goes out to residents for longer than usual for consultation, to ensure communities have input.

“A lot of crimes in our city are caused, or made worse, by alcohol consumption. We want a safe city, where residents can enjoy public areas.

“We also know many people are responsible drinkers, and we want to allow for them.”

Mayor Wallace says, while Police have other powers in place to deal with drinking in public, this Bylaw would provide a legal tool Police can use to intervene before a situation escalates into a more serious situation.

Evidence of incidents related to public drinking and possession of alcohol is essential for a robust bylaw. Without sufficient evidence a ban cannot be put in place.

Police and Council have been working together to gather the evidence required to develop the Bylaw and are keen to get more evidence from residents during consultation.

The proposed Bylaw put forward by Council’s Policy and Regulatory Committee proposes some public areas be permanent alcohol free zones. It also recommends a9pm-5am ban on the consumption of alcohol in all public places across Lower Hutt, except for Eastbourne and the Western Hills. Mayor Wallace will be recommending that this ban is considered across all public areas of Lower Hutt from 9pm-5am.

Mayor Wallace says, “To be clear, public areas do not include bars and other licensed premises or private property. It’s areas like parks, the river bank and on public streets.”

If this proposal is accepted by Council, the public will be notified of what public areas and hours are proposed for a ban and encouraged to make submissions. The evidence requested would include details of alcohol related incidents, such as time, date and location.

ENDS

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