Aseaside community leader fears revellers will leave Beachport on account of an extended dry zone over New Year’s Eve.
According to Beachport resident Councillor Sharon Cox, any such move by Wattle Range Council to ban alcohol from the beaches will send people to Robe.
She told the August council meeting that she was worried about the potential for over-policing of the consumption of alcohol in dry areas at Beachport.
“It will drive the tourists away,” Cr Cox said.
She repeatedly sought assurances from council staff their recommendation to extend the dry area to the foreshore for the New Year celebrations would still allow patrons to frequent a particular set of licensed premises.
At one stage, Mayor Des Noll had to remind Cr Cox about the rules for debate in the council chamber.
Cr Cox said the majority of revellers were well behaved.
“Most are excellent but a small minority spoil it,” she said.
Her stance was supported by Cr Deb Agnew who said people could be penalised for “innocently” being in possession of alcohol.
Cr Agnew queried whether the dry zone extension was a revenue-raising measure.
On the other hand, other councillors and staff backed the extended dry zone area.
Council chief executive Ben Gower said Millicent and Beachport police had sought the measure as it provided them with management options when dealing with underage drinkers.
According to Mr Gower, underage drinkers could receive on-the-spot fines rather than go through the extensive juvenile justice system process.
Mr Gower pointed out that all public areas in the Robe township as well as Long Beach were dry areas over the festive season.
Deputy chief executive Paul Duka said there was an incident which got out of hand at Glen’s Point at Beachport last New Year’s Eve involving a group of underage persons.
He said there had been drug-pushing and drug-taking and police had been abused.
Mr Duka said persons in possession of sealed alcohol containers were not in contravention of the dry zones.
He assured Cr Cox the alcohol ban only applied to public areas and not licensed premises or private property.
According to Mr Duka, the foreshore ban would be in place for a trial period lasting one New Year’s Eve.
Development services director Emma Clay said it was her understanding that police would be asking persons in possession of alcohol in unsealed containers in dry zones to empty the contents on to the ground.
Cr Dunnicliff said he had spent New Year’s Eve between the roundabout and the boatyard.
“You have to have the police onside,” Cr Dunnicliff said.
“I am averse to going against police advice.”
There was unanimous support from the councillors to continue the existing dry zones.
However, councillors Cox and Agnew voted against the foreshore ban.
The SE Voice asked SA Police about the particular circumstances at Beachport but instead received this general reply.
“SA Police works in collaboration with councils statewide as part of major event preparation, including issues such as dry zones, and are in constant communication with local councils and community groups to ensure the safety of the public at major events,” stated a police spokesperson.
