A Dunedin policeman and a liquor store owner have responded to a call for liquor licensing authorities to monitor liquor outlets more thoroughly if the Hyde St keg party takes place next year.
Otago University Students' Association president Logan Edgar said the association would ask licensing authorities to monitor liquor outlets more thoroughly so intoxicated people were not sold alcohol.
"Frankly, we are not convinced this was adequately done [on Saturday]."
Dunedin police alcohol harm reduction officer Constable Ian Paulin said he visited the off-licence liquor store nearest the party - Liquorland Leith Street - on Saturday morning and was satisfied it was handling the situation well, and had adequate plans in place to deal with any issues that might arise with intoxicated or underage people later in the day.
He said his intention had been to revisit the store later in the day, but he had become tied up in Hyde St trying to get people off roofs.
The district licensing agency inspector is not obliged to inspect an off-licence premises to monitor compliance with the Sale of Liquor Act.
Liquorland Leith Street owner Chris Hart said he was positive no intoxicated or underage person was served alcohol at his store on Saturday, and he was annoyed there was a suggestion that may have happened.
He employed security staff for the day to make sure there was no trouble and to make sure too many people were not in the store at once. He also decided not to serve alcohol in glass containers.
The store always stuck to the rules and IDs were checked if buyers looked under 25.
"If there is intoxication, they won't be served and that is just the way it is. We abide by the rules."
Const Paulin said he observed a high level of intoxication in Hyde St in the afternoon, but it was only from about 10% of the crowd.
While people climbing on roofs was a concern, partygoers were not lying around comatose or vomiting.
Given the warm weather and large number of young people, things "could have been worse".
The party did not require a special licence because no sale of liquor was involved. If a liquor ban was introduced to the area, as proposed by the Dunedin City Council, a special licence would be needed to hold such a street party. Const Paulin said he could not see anyone wanting to take responsibility for that.
