By Alesha Capone
A Wyndham councillor says alcohol consumption at a Werribee park is causing concerns about public safety.
Cr Mia Shaw said she has received a number of calls from residents since December, to report people drinking in the Vincent Crescent park.
She said public drinking in the park, which is near a small shopping strip and houses, occurred “during the afternoons after work and, if weather was good, sometimes on weekends’“.
One resident reported an incident of about 20 people congregating in the area.
“They wanted me to try and do something about it because they have been concerned about public safety, including kids that use the park,” Cr Shaw said.
“I have been trying to resolve it and council officers have worked with me as well, Victoria Police have also been involved, but we cannot seem to solve this issue.”
The council has in the past installed a sign in the area alerting visitors that drinking in a public place is banned, but Cr Shaw said it appears the sign is being “totally ignored”.
Cr Shaw has asked if council officers can work with the local shop owners “to see if we can reactivate the area in a different way“ and wants “a clear plan of action” on who is responsible for fining people for drinking and moving them on.
“I’d like to understand from Victoria Police what more as a council we could be doing to stem this kind of behaviour,” she said.
“I will discuss with council officers to see if we need to strengthen the local law when it comes to drinking in public places like parks.”
A Victoria Police spokesperson said officers worked closely with council in relation to local bylaws, and actively enforced these bylaws including the safe and responsible consumption of alcohol.
