Council has made changes to Alcohol Control Areas (ACAs) in Blenheim and Picton and created a new one in Renwick.
The Blenheim ACA now extends further along the Taylor River while in Picton it includes the whole of the town centre as well as the Picton Library car parks. The new ACA in Renwick extends from Alma Street to Inkerman Street, including part of High Street.
An increase in disorderly behaviour prompted Blenheim Police to ask Council for changes, which were approved by Council’s Environment Committee after public consultation.
Chief Licensing Inspector Karen Winter said ACAs increased public safety and gave the Police greater powers. “They give the ability to regulate and mitigate disorderly behaviour and criminal offending linked to the consumption of alcohol in these public places,” she said.
The changes only apply to public places, not private homes or businesses and only affect open bottles and consumption. You can still carry unopened bottles through a supermarket or bottle store to your car, even if that area is part of an ACA.
“Without ACAs the Police’s powers are limited and don’t provide strong and effective tools to enhance public safety,” Mrs Winter said.
