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The Waikato District Council is proposing changes to its Alcohol Control Bylaw.
The Alcohol Control Bylaw outlines where and when people can drink in public places. It was adopted by the council in 2020. Under the Local Government Act 2002, the council must review the bylaw within five years after adoption.
“The bylaw is enforced by police, and the council has been working closely with them to make sure the proposed changes align with their areas of concern,” says Waikato District Council Regulatory Services Manager, Rochelle Deane.
“We are proposing changes where there is evidence of harm, crime, or disorder that has been caused or made worse by alcohol consumption.
“We have also considered feedback from our communities that was collected as part of an online survey done last year.”
Waikato West Area Prevention Manager, Senior Sergeant David Hall, says police use the bylaw to help them respond to incidents in public places where alcohol is involved.
“The bylaw is a preventative tool used by police to reduce harm and manage risk. It is part of a suite of tactics to help us respond to anti-social behaviour and manage alcohol-related harm, crime, or disorder in public places across the district. It’s about creating a public environment that is safe for everyone to use.”
Between September 1, 2019, to December 31, 2023, there were 722 alcohol-related incidents reported across the Waikato district in areas where alcohol bans already existed, but the actual number of incidents for the district is much higher, says Hall.
“There are many other incidents that are not captured in this data or aren’t reported by members of the public.”
The consultation is open until June 15. You’ll find more information here: www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/say-it.
Proposed changes
The alcohol ban areas are for public places only. The Alcohol Control Bylaw does not apply to private property or places that have a licence to sell or supply alcohol.
Pokeno and Tuakau:
- Extending the alcohol ban area in Pokeno to include public places across both the town-centre and industrial areas.
- Extending the alcohol ban area in Tuakau to include public places across the town centre and other street and footpath areas.
- Having an alcohol ban from 9pm Thursday until 9am Monday in parks, reserves, and esplanades in Huntly, Pokeno, and Tuakau. This does not include cemeteries/urupa. For the other days of the week, the overnight ban will remain (from 9pm – 9am).
The council says the population in Pokeno is increasing quickly, as is the number of alcohol-related incidents. Police provided anecdotal evidence to support extending the current alcohol ban area in Pokeno.
Based on police data from September 1, 2019, to December 31, 2023, approximately 14.9 percent (108) of alcohol-related incidents occurred in Tuakau. Most incidents in Tuakau occur on a Friday (19), Saturday (38), and Sunday (17). Police also provided anecdotal evidence to support extending the current alcohol ban area in Tuakau.
Mercer:
Add a new alcohol ban area in Mercer to include public places around the service centre and along the riverbank. There would be an exemption that allows freedom campers to drink alcohol inside their self-contained vehicle, under certain criteria.
The council say police provided anecdotal evidence to support this proposal as Mercer is an area of concern for them.
Te Kauwhata:
Minor extension of the alcohol ban area in Te Kauwhata to include public places within the new Lakeside Development area.
Check out the council website for the full list of proposed changes across the Waikato District.
