OPERATIONS OF ALL SKATE PARKS
Submitted by: Councillor Pat Daley OAM MOTION
That:
A. Council review the operations of all Skate Parks regarding the enforcement of alcohol free zones around the areas where they are located.
B. Conducts a full review regarding the enforcement of under-age drinking regulations and the use and dealing of illegal drugs in these areas.
BACKGROUND FROM COUNCILLOR PAT DALEY OAM
I am not against Skate Parks which are located in appropriate areas. This motion is simply requesting that they be monitored and managed in such a way which ensures that there are positive not negative outcomes for the young people who are using them.
ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT In accordance with Council’s Code of Meeting Practice Clause 5.1(1)(c) I offer the following report on this matter to assist Council in the deliberation of this motion:
A. Council review the operations of all Skate Parks regarding the enforcement of alcohol free zones around the areas where they are located. Council’s skate parks are the subject of the following Alcohol Prohibited Areas:
a. Kierle Park, Manly, is an Alcohol Prohibited Area, 24 hours
b. Kitchener Park, Mona Vale, is an Alcohol Prohibited Area from 8pm to 8am
c. Forestville, Manly Vale and Cromer skate parks are Alcohol Prohibited Areas.
A review of all Alcohol Prohibited Areas is due to be undertaken to ensure they are consistent across the Northern Beaches. This will be discussed at the Community Safety Committee. As for enforcement of these areas, Council understands that Police regularly patrol Skate Parks to ensure compliance if there are issues however rangers do not routinely visit skate parks unless a complaint has been lodged in relation to a specific breach of regulations, or if the Police have specifically requested some assistance (or if they are located within a park or other asset where the Rangers are already patrolling, e.g. to monitor off leash dogs). We can consider building this into the current work runs, however this would ultimately be a consideration of public safety priorities, and whether this should take precedent over other current duties.
REPORT TO ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING ITEM NO. 11.1 - 17 APRIL 2018 135 B. Conducts a full review regarding the enforcement of under-age drinking regulations and the use and dealing of illegal drugs in these areas.
Council is not the authority that enforces under-age drinking or the use of illicit drugs. As this is a policing issue Council is also not in a position to review police activities. Council staff support any requests for assistance and actively co-operate and liaise with police on locations and issues of concern. For instance, a safety audit was conducted of the Mona Vale skate park in 2017 with Council, resulting in the implementation of various police recommendations such as lighting and vegetation clearing.
Cr Daley / Cr De Luca
That: A. Council review the operations of all Skate Parks regarding the enforcement of alcohol free zones around the areas where they are located.
B. Council liaise with Police regarding the enforcement of under-age drinking regulations and the use and dealing of illegal drugs in these areas.
VOTING FOR: Crs McTaggart, Daley and De Luca AGAINST: Crs Heins, Amon, Grattan, Philpott, White, Harrison, Ferguson, Bingham and Regan
LOST
