Alcohol is now banned in public places in Wānaka, Hāwea, Queenstown, Frankton and Arrowtown from 6pm-6am - so don’t plan for any sunset beers on the beach this summer. 

The rule is part of Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) Alcohol-Free Areas in Public Places Bylaw 2018, which came into effect this week.

The bylaw, which limits where and when alcohol can be consumed, also includes a permanent Christmas and Boxing Day alcohol ban in public areas in Wānaka and Queenstown including the lakefront and the CBD.

That Christmas period ban effectively runs from December 25-January 6 as it runs into an additional December 27-January 6 ban.

Read more: Councillors approve alcohol bans by tight margin

The alcohol bylaw was narrowly approved by councillors in a 6-5 vote in August. 

Councillors including Melissa Mark, Lisa Guy and Lyal Cocks questioned whether the rules - in particular the 6pm start to the year-round ban - were overly severe.

Lisa questioned whether preventing situations like parents having a drink at a family picnic at the beach would “perhaps harshly penalise” the majority of residents and Melissa said she thought the bylaw, while well-intentioned, had “missed the mark a bit”.

Lyal said he did not see any strong evidence for changes like starting the year-round ban at 6pm or for the permanent alcohol ban in Wānaka on Christmas and Boxing Day.

“I’m all for safer communities but we’ve also got to take into account the rights of law-abiding citizens,” he said.

Deputy mayor Quentin Smith, who was the chair of the hearings panel on the bylaw, defended its recommendations, saying they were based on information and data presented by stakeholders including NZ Police during the hearings.

This week QLDC alcohol licensing manager Sian Swinney said she believed the bylaw was a “positive step forward” for the community.

“It will help create a safer and more enjoyable environment for everyone, and we are committed to ensuring the bylaw is implemented smoothly,” she said. 

PHOTO: Wānaka App