Booze ban to continue in Adelaide parklands for another two years

Adelaide City Council has supported extending its dry area for another two years – though several councillors admit it’s not solving the issue.

• Adelaide’s National War Memorial is regularly being trashed at night
• West Lakes: Playground and reserve could become dry zone
• Parklands dry zone trial approved by State Government
• Calls for a 24-hour alcohol ban in parklands

A booze ban in the Adelaide parklands will be sought for a further two years in a renewed attempt to stop public drinking and alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour.

Adelaide City Council took the decision at its latest meeting, just days before The Advertiser published images of the War Memorial incidents.

Those pictures show empty wine casks, bottles of alcohol, blankets and other rubbish strewn across monuments.

The council is calling on the State Government to continue the existing parklands 8pm-11am dry zones.

A council report said “public congregation” and excessive alcohol consumption were still problems – even with the ban.

Cr Anne Moran supported keeping the dry areas, which were first trialled back in 2014, acknowledging it was just one way to help solve a complex social problem.

“All of us have the same aim – keeping our parklands safe and to help vulnerable people,” Cr Moran said.

“It’s not a solution, but it is something that helps in the short term while a solution is found.”

Groups of people are regularly trashing the city's National War Memorial.

Cr Franz Knoll said the dry areas showed the council was against public drinking and disorderly behaviour.

“It is a clear message to the community at large that we are trying to, in a way, put some control into a situation that is really sad,” Cr Knoll said.

If caught drinking in the parklands, offenders can be fined $220.

Since the beginning of the 2018/19 financial year, 1570 people have been fined or cautioned for public drinking in the police service area that includes the Adelaide parklands.

Almost $165,000 revenue was raised in that time.

Cr Helen Donovan opposed the ban because there was no data or findings to prove it worked.

“It has not made any difference … this provides the perception of a solution – it is not a solution,” she said.

Cr Robert Simms said dry zones “demonised” and “stigmatised” the most vulnerable people in the community.

He said the dry area would just move drinkers to other areas.

An SA Police spokesman was in favour of the dry area extension.

“SAPOL supports any action which discourages anti-social or criminal behaviour,” he said.

If the extension is approved by the State Government, the zoning would remain in force until September 22, 2021.

The government has been contacted for comment.