A permanent year-round liquor ban is set to come into force in Te Puke township, in line with similar bans in parts of Katikati and Waihi Beach.
This week at a Western Bay District Council policy and strategy committee meeting, councillors unanimously voted to impose a 24/7 year-round ban in Te Puke township, as part of a review of the district's alcohol control bylaw.
The proposed ban would cover most licensed premises, and other problem areas identified as seats at the end of Countdown carpark, Jubilee Park and Memorial Hall.
The ban was expected to be ratified by full council this month, and come into effect on October 1.
Maketu-Te Puke ward councillor Kevin Marsh urged the council to impose the ban.
In December, Mr Marsh and his wife, Andrea, were abused by a group of drunks sitting outside a Te Puke butchery shop. That happened a couple of days after he met police over complaints received from some town retailers.
Mr Marsh said the liquor ban would give police greater powers to deal with alcohol-related crime and disorder in the township.
"I think the community has had enough of this sort of loutish behaviour. The 24/7 ban will give police another tool to stop it."
Mr Marsh said there was enough evidence to justify the ban after council had considered community feedback, crime statistics, and had clear backing from police. A 24/7 ban in Te Puke would be consistent with the majority of the community's feedback during a recent consultation process, he said.
Western Bay Mayor Ross Paterson said the current liquor bans in Katikati and Waihi Beach had been highly successful with almost no incidents since the bans came into force.
Tauranga police alcohol harm reduction officer Sergeant Nigel McGlone said that under current law bans could only be introduced on an evidential basis.
"We [police] are obviously happy that the evidence police presented to council has helped give councillors some of the ammunition they needed to convince them that a 24/7 year- round ban in Te Puke is needed."
Anyone caught consuming alcohol or in possession of booze in a liquor ban area would be liable to an instant fine of $250.
