Dunedin students attended a meeting of the Dunedin City Council yesterday to fight for their right to bring more alcohol to restaurants.
Otago University Students’ Association president Jack Manning asked the council to reconsider a policy limiting patrons to one bottle of wine per two people at BYO restaurants.
If "jovial" students were able to take a bottle of wine each instead, it would act as "harm reduction", encouraging students out of flats or street parties, and into licensed premises to consume alcohol.
Restaurants were supervised drinking environments which provided a safer alternative and discouraged students from "pre-loading" or heavy drinking following a dinner, he said.
"We’re calling on the DCC to change this policy back to one bottle per person."
Drinking was not the only item on the association’s agenda.
Housing was brought up as "one of the largest issues" faced by students.
Mr Manning said demand for housing in North Dunedin was "gridlocked", and allowed for landlords to increase prices without worrying about the quality of flats.
He asked the council to consider a landlord licensing scheme, and to implement a rental warrant of fitness for student flats.
This would ensure landlords were treating "vulnerable" students equitably and fairly, he said.
"Student renters can often be apprehensive to take issues through proper channels."
On climate change, the OUSA requested the council commit to a climate change adaptation and mitigation plan by 2021.
Mr Manning said while it was positive the council declared a climate emergency last year, it needed to make sure the issue was addressed with a "robust" plan.
"We are calling on the council to account for the impacts [of climate change] on every level of decision-making."
Mr Manning said the issues spoken to were supported by "a great number of students, and reflect issues faced by students".
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If students really care about climate change, then create less trash in our beautiful city. Use the excess booze money you have to keep the place clean and rat free. Don't use that 'supervised we will drink less' mantra either. Your history and actions speak louder than mantras.
We don't like Students spending money in the Night Economy. Call us Presbyterian. Many do. Old people sinking more and causing trouble are ok, but.
Surely students would rather bring beer? So would I.