State Government shuns City Council push to make parklands 24-hour dry zones
It was supposed to curb problem drinking in the parklands, however, the State Government has knocked back a proposal for the parklands to be alcohol-free.
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A push to make the entire Adelaide Parklands 24-hour dry zones has fallen on deaf ears following community backlash.
A Consumer and Business Services spokesman said Adelaide City Council’s proposal was “reviewed in detail”, but was knocked back.
The council asked the State Government to consider making the parklands dry zones to curb alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour following a push from Deputy Lord Mayor Alexander Hyde in December.
“Given the City Council’s own consultation report did not support the application, and most respondents to the council’s consultation were against the project, the government declined to grant the application,” a spokesman for Consumer and Business Services said.
He said despite the rejection, a 24-hour dry zone in areas of the southern parklands would continue until September 22, 2021.
“This will give both government and the council further time to consider the outcomes of this trial, should the council wish to pursue another application of this nature,” he said.
If the ban was accepted, those found drinking or possessing alcohol in the park lands would have been fined up to $5000, unless they applied for a $93 short-term liquor licence from Consumer and Business Services.
Currently, all city streets and squares are dry areas at all times, and alcohol is banned in all parklands between 8pm and 11am.
Cr Hyde said the ban would have assisted the reduction of anti-social behaviour.
“There was really an opportunity to address the issue of problem drinking in a holistic way, and that hasn’t happened,” Cr Hyde said.
He feared the problem would just be moved around the city.
Christie Anthoney, Associate Director Community and Culture at the City Council, said: “In March, 2020, The City of Adelaide applied for a 24/7 Dry Area across all Park Lands, after a decision of Council on December 2019.
“The application included a detailed community consultation that was conducted over January and February. On Thursday 17 September, Administration was informed by Consumer and Business Services that the application for a 24/7 Dry Area was declined.
“Council staff continue to work closely with police, social services and local neighbourhoods as required to address incidences of alcohol related anti-social behaviour. Coordinated responses are developed taking into account public safety and amenity, support needs of vulnerable groups and impacts on the local community.
“The current Park Lands Dry Area arrangements expire in September 2021 and include all Park Lands from 8pm-11am and 24/7 in Park 20 (Kurangga) and 21 (Walyu Yarta).”
Adelaide Liberal MP Rachel Sanderson consulted residents in the city’s south ward about dry zones, which showed 84.5 per cent of people wanted the ban.
Ms Sanderson was pleased the trial in Parks 20 and 21 in the city’s south would continue in light of anti-social behaviour.
She did not say if she would advocate for the 24-hour, parklands wide ban again.
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