Council is making changes to Alcohol Control Areas (ACAs) in Blenheim and Picton and has created a new one in Renwick.
Following public consultation, the proposed changes were considered by the Environment & Planning Committee on 20 August and recommended to the full Council for adoption on 17 September.
The Blenheim ACA would extend 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 will extend 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 and Planning 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.
