A dry zone taking in the hours of 10 pm to 6 am would allow police the opportunity to deal with alcohol related issues in an area that would extend approximately one kilometre along the foreshore from the caravan park to the pool and two blocks west taking in the main street precinct and the proposed new playground area.

Outlining his reasoning behind the move, OIC McKenzie detailed statistics he recorded over a three-week period taking in Christmas and New Year, which included 17 reported incidents in relation to drinking in public places (fights, underage drinking, stolen property, littering and vandalism), while an innocent fisherman was pushed off the jetty into the water.

Verbal support for the dry zone has been received by a number of local businesses, including the town’s two hotels, Edithburgh Progress Committee and individuals.

Discussions later in the meeting saw councillors ask Acting CEO Alan Rushbrook to contact OIC McKenzie advising their support of the dry zone and that to progress the matter he should submit a formal application with supporting documentation. Council will then proceed with the public consultation process.

(Courtesy YP Country Times)