Council makes final decision on St Kilda beach booze ban

Port Phillip Council voted last night not to impose a summer-long booze ban at St Kilda beach, instead limiting the prohibition to major holidays.

It follows the trashing of the St Kilda foreshore by drunken revellers on Christmas Day last year, when the beachside spot sustained more than $33,000 in damage.

Deputy mayor of the City of Port Phillip, Dick Gross told Ross and John the vote on a total ban went right down to the wire at last night’s council meeting.

“The vote was very close, 5-4 in favour of a limited ban,” Cr Gross said.

“So there’s a full ban on the days like Christmas and Australia Day, that’s when we get our disastrous interaction of grog and big numbers.”

Ross said he’d noticed people flying in the face of the rules at the foreshore anyway.

“I was down at the foreshore three weeks ago and there was a group of four blokes drinking stubbies but they were protected from the sunlight by the sign which read that there is no alcohol to be consumed and no glass on the foreshore, so maybe it doesn’t make a difference,” he said.

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The Councillor admitted there is an issue with the enforcement of laws.