The Proposed Riccarton/Ilam Alcohol Bylaw Amendment – CRRA Submission (August 2011)

The Central Riccarton Residents' Association Inc supports the proposed by-law but with two conditions. The proposed by-law will be ineffectual unless these two conditions are satisfied.

There is no doubt whatsoever that there occur serious incidents of damage to public and private property as well as the throwing and smashing of glass bottles.

These incidents which take place particularly between Thursday evening and Saturday evening are without doubt fuelled by excess alcohol intake. These incidents of boorish and drunken behaviour are accompanied by acts of intimidation to residents, especially those residents least able to defend themselves - namely, those in retirement or living alone. A cowardly pack mentality is often exhibited by offenders and there are clear examples of threatening conduct and acts of retaliation against those who complain. All this has resulted, not unexpectedly, in some being unwilling to complain out of genuine fear of the consequences to themselves if they do. Such intimidation in the view of the Central Riccarton Residents' Association Inc amounts quite simply to thuggery.

The two conditions we consider necessary for the proposed by-law to be effective are:

Firstly, the City Council will need to make it clear to the Police that it expects a change to the duty rostering system so that there is an adequate number of police on duty at the times when the by-law will most likely have to be enforced. It would be counter-productive and cynical of the Council to pass a by-law which would not be enforced because there were insufficient police available to enforce it. The events of July 20, 2011 illustrate that clearly.

Secondly, the City Council will need to make it publicly clear to the University of Canterbury Council that it expects the University Council to take decisive action to address the anti-social conduct of what amounts to a minority of its students - just a few hundred in number - who are enrolled in their institution. The City Council should demand of the University Council that the latter enforce its code of conduct which it requires enrolees to sign.


In summary, the passing of this proposed by-law will not of itself improve the quality of life of residents in Riccarton and Ilam unless the police roster many more staff on duty to enforce it and unless the University of Canterbury Council accept their responsibility for the anti-social behaviour of a minority of students it brings into the Riccarton-Ilam area. When the university is on breaks, there are comparatively few problems for residents.