By 3 News online staff
Auckland Council has adopted the region’s first alcohol harm reduction strategy, aimed at providing the council with a single approach to alcohol management across the city.
Included in the strategy, adopted by the Regional Development and Operations Committee today, are guidelines for how the council should work with other groups including Government and non-governmental agencies, community organisations, the health and education sectors, police and the hospitality industry.
“This strategy will help us reduce alcohol-related harm in our communities and create a safe, healthy city where alcohol can be enjoyed, not abused,” says Mayor Len Brown.
The adoption of the strategy comes after the Mayor’s new alcohol and community safety taskforce met for the first time last week and produced an action plan detailing ways in which it thinks alcohol can be better managed.
Amongst the taskforce’s recommendations are voluntary one-way door policies at bars and clubs, increased community-based patrols, improved lighting and new parking limits for ‘pre-loading’ hotspots, and the elimination of single drink sales at off-licence outlets.
“The taskforce we’ve put together and the strategy we have adopted have very clear objectives,” says Mr Brown.
Auckland council is now calling on the central Government to make the passing of its Alcohol Reform Bill a priority.
The bill will give local authorities more power to regulate the number, location and opening hours of liquor outlets.
Mr Brown says the council needs the Alcohol Reform Bill to be passed in order to succeed in curbing anti-social behaviour caused by alcohol.
3 News