Jackie Blue's Roskill Report, sent Tuesday 8th June 2010. To subscribe enter your name and email address in the space provided on the right hand sidebar.
Liquor and Local Communities
Recently I met with other National MP's and the Glen Innes Drug and Alcohol Group to hear how devastating alcohol is in their community. We were given a tour of the area and shown ‘corner dairy’ liquor outlets which school children had to pass on the way to school. We saw adults drunk in the street at 3.30pm as children walked by on their way home from school.
This community is united and determined, however. They are fighting back. Good on them!
The Law Commission’s report on Alcohol says local communities need more of a say into licensing decisions and I absolutely agree.
Last Thursday the Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill was passed into law. It establishes the governance arrangements of the new ‘super city’ and in particular the roles of local boards.
Local boards will have a significant and wide ranging role in representing their community. They will have a budget that supports their roles and responsibilities.
While it is anticipated that the new Auckland Council will develop an alcohol policy across the region to ensure consistency, I expect that the Auckland Council will devolve to the local boards the ability to make decisions on liquor bans and the placement of liquor outlets.
Power to the People!
For further information:
Law Commission - Alcohol In Our Lives: Curbing the Harm
And the Community Bouquet goes to ... Barry Bryan!
In 2007 retired local Barry Bryan was a driving force in establishing the Mt Roskill’s Junior Sports Academy located on the Mt Roskill Intermediate School grounds, Denbigh Ave.
Barry with a very small, core group of volunteers/parents has organised hockey training and competitive games for youth in the area over the school week and on weekends.
Barry is absolutely passionate about introducing youth to hockey and he has had a tremendous response when he has addressed the local junior school assemblies to inform them about the facility.
Barry and his team ensure that the grounds are used all year round with soccer also being played on the site.
Barry has managed to get a small amount of funding and this is supplemented by fundraising. Costs are kept as low as possible so this is not a barrier.
It has been my observation that behind any successful community driven organisation there is generally an individual who is selfless and driven and that person is Barry.
Thank you Barry for all the work that you do.
Public Meeting with Hon Paula Bennett
Monday 9th August 7.30pm Fickling Centre, Three Kings, Mt Albert Rd
Topic: “Welfare, Work and Income, CYFs - Why You Should Care"
For more information contact my office 09 629 5942.
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