Residents of a Wairarapa beach town are reporting a holiday weekend spoilt by antisocial behaviour including property destruction.
Riversdale Beach locals described how a small group of drunk teenagers rampaged through town destroying signs, harassing pedestrians and generally behaving badly. The small, normally peaceful, rural town has a permanent population of about 180 which increases during holidays.
The reports come as the recently elected Masterton District Council prepares to discuss a review of its alcohol bylaw policy at its first meeting on Wednesday.
“There was broken glass everywhere and a lot of broken signs,” said one local who asked not to be named.
“It started off with parties, then they were racing up and down on motorbikes with no helmets on. They start drinking in their houses from early in the morning. It’s the same people every year.”
They said there needed to be more policing of the area.
Another resident said while there had been bad behaviour in the past, this weekend was the worst it had been.
“People genuinely felt unsafe,” they said.
A police spokesperson confirmed they responded at the weekend to a call about a group of young people breaching the peace in the settlement and spoke with those involved.
Council papers indicate permanent booze bans on major holidays at some of the region’s beaches could be on the cards in the future.
The current Masterton alcohol control bylaw will revoke on December 12 if a new one is not adopted.
A report tabled before the Masterton District Council meeting recommends starting the review of the current bylaw, with targeted public consultation slated to start next week. A permanent holiday alcohol ban for popular beach hotspots is not part of the current review, but the report said it could be part of another, updated, review next year.
In 2018, the Masterton District Council designated the business district and the skatepark as alcohol-free areas at all times, and Queen Elizabeth Park as alcohol free between 9pm and 7am, seven days a week. It also provides for temporary alcohol-free zones for major events, which has been used for holiday weekends at some of the region’s beaches, including Riversdale Beach.
The report said engagement with the police, council officers, residents and ratepayers’ associations on the current bylaw showed it was effective in controlling alcohol-related crime and disorder in the designated public places.
“No complaints have been received from community members about the current bylaw,” it said.
Police had recorded 76 breaches of the bylaw in the last five years, with six complaints about drinking in public places.
“The bylaw gives the police the powers required to respond to such breaches and complaints. It enables the police to address anti-social behaviours in public places where alcohol is involved.”
While the temporary alcohol restrictions on Wairarapa beaches have been used up till now, permanent holiday-time booze bans from next year could be considered, the report indicated.
This is not part of the current bylaw consultation and adoption process.
“One of the provisions in the bylaw allows for temporary alcohol-free zones to be made for major events. These provisions in the bylaw are currently used annually to introduce alcohol-free zones at Riversdale and Castlepoint beaches on New Year’s Eve and during Labour Weekend, alongside temporary road closures,” the report said.
“During recent discussions with the police and community groups, it has become apparent there is interest in the bylaw permanently including alcohol-free zones on New Year’s Eve and during Labour Day Weekend at Riversdale and Castlepoint beaches. This would mean that the council would no longer have to approve these temporary bans each year.”
Road closures would also be considered alongside the new alcohol prohibitions.
“Incorporating the currently recurring annual prohibitions [alcohol and vehicle] in the respective bylaws would provide clarity for the community and the Police and also improve administrative efficiency.”
Pip Hannon, owner of the Riversdale Beach Store was doubtful bringing in a permanent alcohol ban at the holidays would have the desired outcome.
“One thing that would make a difference is a permanent police presence [at holiday times],” she said.
“It calms the community down. You can have an alcohol ban but unless you have the police presence there’s no point.”
Hannon said it was a small group who caused the problems.
“Ninety percent are well behaved. The whole community would be penalised because of the bad behaviour of a few.”
The report recommends the Masterton District Council approve targeted consultation on the current new bylaw to start next week and run between November 3 and 17.
Local Democracy Reporting is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
