Birthdays banned

By Casey Neill
SHIRE of Yarra Ranges councillors could tonight ban 18th birthday parties from all council venues in a bid to curb anti-social behaviour.
But some claim the move would disadvantage people acting responsibly, without improving the situation.
Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff will oppose the plan at the shire’s 25 August meeting.
“It will be debated quite rigorously,” he said.
Cr Cliff acknowledged there were problems with rowdy party-goers, vandalism and violence in and around council venues.
“Some of the halls have been trashed,” he said.
“Maybe we’ve got to find another way.” But Cr Cliff said a blanket ban would disadvantage people who used halls responsibly.
“It’s just we’ve got this bloody pack of idiots who wreck things,” he said.
“Where do you go to have your parties? Most people don’t have homes big enough. It’s not fair.”
He said alcohol and lack of parental control were to blame for bad party behaviour, but the issues were not restricted to the shire’s youth.
“Let’s be honest, older blokes can wreck things too,” he said.
Cr Cliff was concerned about the message a ban would send to young people in the shire.
“We’ve got fantastic youth services trying to link and work with kids,” he said. “We bring them up to be responsible, but then we say ‘not in my hall mate’.”
Upwey Township Group’s Mark Addison said the shire should ‘never say never’.
“I always get disappointed with council when they come up with the ‘ban’ solutions rather than keeping options open,” he said.
“Responsible residents will be disadvantaged and the community will have less access to community owned facilities.”
Mr Addison noted shire officers could already refuse any event application at any time and impose a $1000 bond.
He said the ban would rely on applicants being honest about the type of function they planned to hold.
Mr Addison instead suggested a flexible bond up to $2000, a fixed lights-out time, an enforced dry zone around the venue, and special conditions for specific locations.
He also called on the shire to enact local laws allowing them to move on problem people from venues and call on police to shut down a party if needed.
“It is my understanding that the biggest issue is the after-party groups that remain near the facility,” he said.
Councillors have raised the issue of anti-social behaviour, violence and vandalism at shire venues at several meetings over the past 18 months.
Last April, they agreed to monitor the situation.