The Police has asked the local council to consider reimposing a temporary 48-hour alcohol ban in the Wānaka CBD’s public spaces for Christmas Day and Boxing Day this year.

The temporary alcohol ban, introduced in 2020 as an extension to the 10-day summer holiday alcohol ban, is proposed to prevent the consumption of alcohol in public places where, historically, large crowds tend to congregate and consume alcohol.

Queenstown Lakes District councillors will be asked to consider reinstating this temporary ban from 8am Saturday 25 December to 6am Monday 27 December 2021 at tomorrow’s (Thursday October 28) full council meeting.

While there was no specific data provided by the police regarding the size of the crowds or the extent of their disorderly behaviour, the consensus from police was that the 2020 temporary restrictions were successful in reducing the formation of large crowds and intoxication levels, a report to council said.

The police consider the alcohol bans to be “a key tool” alongside the prevention approach it takes to keep all members of the community safe, the report said.

The area of proposed alcohol restrictions includes a large portion of the Wānaka foreshore and downtown. IMAGE: Supplied

The proposed geographic area of alcohol restrictions area in Wānaka would cover the whole of the Lake Wānaka foreshore area from Sunrise Bay (near Edgewater) to Penrith Park; and includes the area from the foreshore to an outer boundary formed by and including Meadowstone Drive, Stone Street, Golf Course Road, Macpherson Street, State Highway 84 and Ardmore Street.

In its decision to introduce the temporary 48 hour Christmas/Boxing Day ban last year, councillors considered the restriction “appropriate and proportionate” and that “it was a reasonable limitation on people’s rights and freedoms”, the report said. 

The Alcohol Restrictions in Public Places Bylaw 2018 enables the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) to impose temporary and permanent alcohol restriction areas and this 48-hour ban would, once again, extend the permanent alcohol ban already established in Wānaka’s CDB from 6am December 27 to 6am January 6.

The Police said it would prefer a permanent alcohol ban across Wānaka’s public CBD areas, including the foreshore, for 12 days from December 25 to January 6.

But at tomorrow’s meeting, councillors will only be considering the temporary ban for 2021.

A review of the bylaw is scheduled in 2022, and it is believed a permanent ban would be better considered during the review when public consultation is included, council said.

If approved by councillors tomorrow the alcohol ban will be publicised via various media and public signage will be erected in conspicuous locations in or adjacent to the restricted areas.