Council's 24-hour liquor bans in place for Rugby World Cup

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Auckland Council has approved a 24-hour liquor ban in parts of the city that will kick in 39 days before the Rugby World Cup starts.

Police pushed for the extended bans which were approved by the council's regulatory and bylaws committee to begin on August 1, giving the public plenty of time to adapt before games start on September 9.

The bans will remain in place until October 31.

A council spokeswoman says the liquor bans will cover specific locations on the North Shore and in Auckland's central business district.

Licensed premises and fanzones will not be affected, however police are concerned about drinking in public places and fans loading up on alcohol before getting to venues by drinking at bus stops, on public transport and on the city-to-Eden Park walk.

The ban will prevent alcohol being transported from licensed locations and gives police authority to search, seize and arrest.

The current ban surrounding Takapuna Golf Course will be extended to cover Smiths Bush and Onewa Domain, which is to be used as a training ground, and bans will be enforced around the Albany fanzone, North Harbour Stadium and the business district.

The liquor ban locations:

- Public places on the way to Eden Park

- Smiths Bush and Onewa Domain, the area between Northcote Road and the Auckland-Waiwera Motorway

- The area surrounding Albany Mall, between the Northern Motorway, State Highway 17 and Oteha Valley Road

- The Rugby World Cup Stadium Walkway, which runs along Great North Road and Bond Street.

Current 24-hour liquor ban areas in Takapuna - Lake Pupuke and the area between Killarney Park and Byron Ave - will remain in place.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/5137523/Councils-24-hour-liquor-bans-in-place-for-Rugby-World-Cup