Councillor Jenny Ellis (left) is concerned by “gossip” caused by the booze ban debate started by Anne Napoli (right). Photo: Griffith City Council.
The question of whether alcohol will be banned at Griffith City Council won’t be determined until next year, after councillors agreed to commission a report on the matter and debate it at the January 2025 meeting.
Deputy Mayor Anne Napoli previously moved a motion “to put an end to any alcohol consumption” on site by councillors and their staff at council’s October meeting.
She argued that this would both save money and ensure that councillors made “sound decisions”.
Councillor Shari Blumer sought to have the motion thrown out, describing it as an “act of disorder” and “unlawful”.
Debate on the matter was then postponed, but Councillor Anne Napoli revived the issue at the meeting on Tuesday (26 November) when she put forward a motion that: “Griffith City Council provide a report to the next round of council that reviews relevant legislation, council codes, procedures and policies, and current expenditure as it relates to the provision and consumption of alcohol at council administration building and council chambers.
“Can I make it clear that it’s not about point the finger or insinuating that anyone has done the wrong thing. It’s just to bring us in line with the relevant legislation with health and safety guidelines,” Ms Napoli told the meeting.
General manager Brett Stonestreet said the timeframe was too tight for the report to be provided to the next meeting (in December) and proposed the report be presented at the first meeting of the next year, 28 January. This was supported by Ms Napoli and other councillors after another fiery debate.
Councillor Dal Bon stepped things up a notch.
“I would like to move an amendment to Councillor Napoli’s motion that an alcohol-free zone be applied to the main administration building at Griffith City Council,” he said.
This amendment was voted down, after which Councillor Jenny Ellis expressed what she didn’t like about the debate.
“I’m very concerned with what has been happening on social media particularly the impression that we are drinking alcohol before a meeting which is impairing our ability to make sound decisions,” she said.
“The impressions and the gossip that has gone around this town is that we are drinking alcohol during the [council] meeting; I just want to put that to rest. This does not happen.
“After the meeting we go into the mayor’s office and we share a meal together; for some people that includes a glass of wine or a beer. It’s always on a working night and most people travel home in a single car … it concerns me this has become a big issue when we should as Councillor Dal Bon has said move on to the important issues of council.”
Councillor Scott Groat also wanted a quick resolution of this issue.
“It’s a forgone conclusion that alcohol is not allowed in the workplace,” Councillor Groat said.
Councillor Napoli then suggested that council institute the alcohol ban before waiting for the report.
“I think we’re accepting what Councillor Groat said that there is no alcohol in any workplace at NSW or Australia … I would disagree with this vehemently,” Mayor Doug Curran said.
“I’ve been to hundreds of workplaces and I haven’t seen any signage saying alcohol is banned here.”
Councillor Lou Testoni then chimed in: “We are going round and round in circles; can we just move on.”
A majority of councillors then agreed to have the report presented at the January 2025 meeting, at which time the matter will be debated further.
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