NEWS RELEASE 27 June 2008

Council approves 24-hour Liquor Control bylaw

Wellington City Council has approved the extension of the existing Liquor Control bylaw to include a 24-hour liquor ban in the central city. The amended bylaw will take effect from Thursday 31 July.

The liquor ban currently runs from 5pm each Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 8am the following morning in the central city, Oriental Bay and the Mount Victoria lookout. The amended bylaw will extend the liquor ban to 24 hours and include Aro Valley and Central Park in the liquor ban area.

The liquor ban does not apply to licensed premises or their outdoor areas, or to people carrying unopened containers to or from licensed premises or private residences within the liquor control area. This will remain unchanged under the amended bylaw.

The Council's Social Portfolio Leader Councillor Ngaire Best says the bylaw will improve Wellington's reputation as a safe and vibrant city and enhance the quality of life for city residents and visitors.

"The amended bylaw is the result of extensive consultation with Wellingtonians. Many people expressed concern about increasing liquor consumption in public places outside the times of the existing bylaw. A clear majority of submissions supported a 24-hour liquor ban and the extension of the control area to include Aro Valley and Central Park.

"We are proud of Wellington's reputation as a safe city and as a fantastic place to live and this new bylaw will help us to protect that reputation."

ENDS

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