Plan to extend alcohol ban area during festival
Photo: ODT files
The Central Otago District Council looks set to extend alcohol bans in the region during the blossom festival, as police say the event itself causes them little issue but the drinking around it is a "heat source" for trouble.
Last December, the council proposed to increase the areas covered by an alcohol ban.
As well as having bans on the towns of Alexandra, Clyde and Cromwell it also wanted to place a ban on the Teviot Valley to the council border at Raes Junction.
The council has sought comment on its proposal and is set to confirm the new policy at a council meeting next week.
In a submission, Senior Sergeant Clint Wright, of Alexandra, said the current bylaws, dates and times were appropriate but had limitations.
"The new additions provide further tools to be able to enforce bylaws, control disorder and undesirable behaviours," he said.
He said the festival was run very well and had made incremental improvements every year around safety and alcohol-related compliance.
"The festival itself is minimal demand for local police however the hoard of vehicle enthusiasts and intoxicated passengers coming from Dunedin, Balclutha, Gore and Invercargill is still a significant heat source for Otago Lakes police."
He said extending the ban to the Teviot Valley would enable police to enforce rules around the consumption of alcohol and choke points in the Teviot Valley's townships, on the Roxburgh Dam and other areas of concern.
He said the proposed changes were not overly restrictive but were "prudent and provide further tools to rectify behaviours which rightly upset our locals".
The proposal was to also extend the ban to the Merino Shears weekend, which happened a few weeks after the blossom festival. The centre of the blossom festival event is usually in the last weekend of September.
Snr Sgt Wright said over the last couple of years, there had been a rise in alcohol-related offending around the Merino Shears event and two years ago, police had to form a skirmish line to move on a large number of intoxicated patrons.
The council also proposed to continue with its liquor ban in certain areas over the Christmas-New Year period.
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora also supported the liquor ban as did Hospitality New Zealand.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
9 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Jail term avoided for poaching, trespass and smoking meth
Photo: ODT files A Dunedin man who was caught poaching pigs with a 15-year-old boy has avoided a prison sentence. Steven Alan Roberts, 44, appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday after earlier pleading guilty to unlawful hunting, possessing methamphetamine and trespass under the Railways Act. The court heard that between 10pm on August 16 and 4am on August 17 the defendant was at Taieri Railway Gorge, which has a railway track running through it and is surrounded by farmland. Permission from the land owner or a permit is required to hunt on the land surrounding the railway tracks. Roberts was found in the Hindon area illegally hunting with another man and the 15-year-old. Police saw the trio walk along the railway tracks with dogs without permission. The group was stopped in a ute which had wild pigs on the back of it. The vehicle was searched and knives, GPS devices and dog collars were found inside. Roberts confessed he had been hunting wild pigs but did not know whose land he was on. He later told a probation officer he had recently met the man he was with and believed he had the appropriate permit. While on bail for that offending, the defendant bought 1g of methamphetamine. He admitted smoking it and scraping the residue out of the pipe to snort. Yesterday, counsel John Westgate said his client had addiction issues. "This is a man who has acknowledged that he has an issue with drugs, he's willing to get help," he said. The unlawful hunting was "a stupid thing to do" and he would have to 'pay the price' for it. Judge Emma Smith said the explanation Roberts gave the probation officer about believing his friend had a permit "might stretch belief". "It's pretty cynical offending by you," Judge Smith said. She noted he had no similar prior convictions but did have a significant history of drug-related offending. "You're too old to be using drugs ... you're just going to end up in prison," the judge said. Judge Smith said it seemed Roberts had not taken advantage of his previous community-based sentences. "I am going to give you that opportunity ... [but it's] probably your last chance." She sentenced Roberts to 150 hours' community work and nine months' supervision. She ordered the hunting equipment found be destroyed and that the defendant pay court costs of $143.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Mum accused of causing crash that killed son pleads not guilty
Sangita Prasad. Photo: ODT A South Island mother who allegedly used methamphetamine before causing a crash that killed her 7-year-old son has pleaded not guilty. Sangita Prasad, 47, appeared in the Dunedin District Court on Tuesday morning, where her counsel Deborah Henderson said "further investigations" were ongoing into the incident that claimed the life of O'Siah Prasad on March 23. The boy died when the car Prasad was driving crashed through a fence and into a ditch on Owaka Valley Rd. A deemed not-guilty plea to a charge of careless driving causing death while under the influence of drink or drugs was entered by a registrar. While Prasad was silent during the court hearing, she has spoken of her grief online. "It should have been me who left this world, not my precious son," she wrote on Facebook. "Thankfully, we can learn from this tragedy, and I hope that improved safety measures can prevent similar accidents in the future." Prasad said conditions on the day were wet, and urged people to do their own "homework" before condemning her. "I lost my son, and it hurts every day, but I remain strong, and I wish all the judgmental people out there well, hoping they never experience the same pain, and instead, find compassion and understanding." O'Siah Prasad. Photo: Givealittle A Givealittle page was set up in the aftermath of the incident and raised $10,387 in two weeks. "During this heartbreaking time, we are reaching out for support to help O'Siah's family (including his mum Sangita)," the fundraising post said. "No parent should have to face this pain alone, and any contribution, no matter how small, will help ease the burden they are carrying." O'Siah was described as "a bright, loving, and adventurous little boy who filled every room with joy". "He loved exploring the outdoors, making memories with his family, and sharing his beautiful smile with everyone around him. His presence brought so much love and warmth, and his loss has left an unimaginable void." Prasad was remanded on continued bail, on condition she lived at a Fairfield address, did not drive any vehicle and did not possess illicit drugs. She will next appear in court in August. The charge carries a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment or a fine of $10,000.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Mother pleads not guilty to causing crash that killed son
Sangita Prasad. Photo: ODT A Dunedin mother who allegedly used methamphetamine before causing a crash that killed her 7-year-old son has pleaded not guilty. Sangita Prasad, 47, appeared in the Dunedin District Court this morning where her counsel Deborah Henderson said "further investigations" were ongoing into the incident that claimed the life of O'Siah Prasad on March 23. The boy died when the car Prasad was driving crashed through a fence and into a ditch in Owaka Valley Rd. A deemed not-guilty plea to a charge of careless driving causing death while under the influence of drink or drugs was entered by a registrar. While Prasad was silent during the court hearing, she has spoken of her grief online. "It should have been me who left this world, not my precious son," she wrote on Facebook. "Thankfully, we can learn from this tragedy, and I hope that improved safety measures can prevent similar accidents in the future." Prasad said conditions on the day were wet, and urged people to do their own "homework" before condemning her. "I lost my son, and it hurts every day, but I remain strong, and I wish all the judgmental people out there well, hoping they never experience the same pain, and instead, find compassion and understanding." O'Siah Prasad. Photo: Givealittle A Givealittle page was set up in the aftermath of the incident and raised $10,387 in two weeks. "During this heartbreaking time, we are reaching out for support to help O'Siah's family (including his mum Sangita)," the fundraising post said. "No parent should have to face this pain alone, and any contribution, no matter how small, will help ease the burden they are carrying." O'Siah was described as "a bright, loving, and adventurous little boy who filled every room with joy". "He loved exploring the outdoors, making memories with his family, and sharing his beautiful smile with everyone around him. His presence brought so much love and warmth, and his loss has left an unimaginable void." Prasad was remanded on continued bail, on condition she lived at a Fairfield address, did not drive any vehicle and did not possess illicit drugs. She will next appear in court in August. The charge carries a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment or a fine of $10,000.
