Locals could be enjoying twilight drinks on the Hāwea lakefront by September if a new alcohol bylaw is approved. 

Because of a lack of supporting evidence, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) staff have recommended the removal of the existing 8pm-8am alcohol bans in many public places in Lake Hāwea, Frankton and Arrowtown.

Councillor Lyal Cocks said he was supportive of the proposed changes, which have come about as the result of a bylaw review, and which will go out for public consultation shortly.

‘As alcohol restrictions can only be imposed in public places where there is evidence of alcohol related disorder, it is good to see the changes proposed to remove bans in Lake Hāwea, Arrowtown and Frankton, where there is no such evidence,” Lyal told the Wānaka App.

Police recently asked the council to consider a 24-hour, year-round alcohol ban for a range of public places in Queenstown and Wānaka, and to examine whether that should extend to Hāwea, Frankton and Arrowtown too.

QLDC staff say there is insufficient evidence for any of those proposed additional bans.

However, the draft bylaw recommends a continuation of the existing 8pm-8am alcohol bans in Wānaka and Queenstown.

Under the proposed bylaw changes the Queenstown Winter Festival’s alcohol ban would also be removed due to a lack of evidence, while bans for Queenstown’s public places on Christmas Day and Boxing Day - which are supported by evidence from the police - would become permanent.

Alcohol bans in Queenstown and Wānaka between December 27 and January 6 should be retained, according to the draft proposal, as well as Queenstown’s Crate Day ban. 

Councillors signed off on the draft bylaw at Thursday’s full council meeting (March 23) and public consultation will open on April 3.

“It is now up to members of the public to have their say on the proposed alcohol restrictions and the areas where they would apply,” Lyal told the Wānaka App. 

“We look forward to that input.”

The bylaw is expected to come into effect by September, following a hearing. 

PHOTO: Wānaka App