Council is asking the public to comment on proposed changes to Alcohol Control Areas (ACAs).

An increase in disorderly behaviour prompted Blenheim Police to ask Council for extended areas in the Blenheim and Picton town centres and to create one in Renwick.

Chief Licensing Inspector Karen Winter said ACAs increased public safety and gave police greater powers. “It gives 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 affects 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.

The existing ACAs have been in place since the bylaw came into force in 2018.

The new proposals seek to extend the ACA in Blenheim to include parts of the Taylor River public walkways while in Picton it is suggested the whole of the town centre as well as the Picton Library car parks are included.

A new ACA in Renwick would extend from Alma Street including part of High Street and extending to Inkerman Street.

“Without ACAs police only have statutory powers which are limited and don’t provide strong and effective tools to enhance public safety,” Mrs Winter said. “The proposed ACA in Picton is within the town centre, considered an area of relatively high public safety due to increased human traffic and Police presence. Despite this, these areas are proving hard to manage under normal statutory powers.”

Submissions opened today (20 April) and close on 21 May.

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