Cars and people converge on the road from Gore to Raes Junction, heading to Alexandra for the Blossom Festival. PHOTO: CODC
At a Central Otago District Council's meeting this week, the council decided it would extend an alcohol ban from Alexandra to Raes Junction, including 2km either side of State Highway 8.
Council senior strategy adviser Alix Crosbie presented a report at the meeting which councillors had requested at their September meeting.
During a discussion in September on the alcohol restriction in public places bylaw, Teviot ward councillor Sally Feinerman raised concerns about alcohol-related behaviour and nuisance in the Teviot Valley during the Blossom Festival weekend.
Sergeant Adam Elder said in the report each Blossom Festival there was a "contingent of vehicle enthusiasts" who met at Raes Junction and travelled to the festival.
All were usually drinking alcohol and causing disorder incidents in the towns they stopped in, Sgt Elder said.
Police could only enforce the liquor ban when the travellers got to Alexandra or Cromwell.
"There would be significant benefit to extending the liquor ban through the Teviot Valley including Millers Flat, Ettrick and Roxburgh for future Blossom Festivals."
Ms Crosbie said the ban would extend 2km either side of State Highway 8 to stop it pushing the convoy to side roads.
It would include the Millers Flat back road to the Roxburgh Dam, she said.
Cr Feinerman said she had witnessed concerning behaviour in Roxburgh in the the past five years.
Sgt Elder requested the Alexandra liquor ban be extended to include the Merino Shears, the weekend after Blossom Festival because of incidents in the carpark next to the Stadium Tavern, in Alexandra.
Mayor Tamah Alley said as the carpark was council property ratepayers were paying for cleaning up rubbish and broken glass left behind.
Cr Stu Duncan asked where it would end and could the liquor ban be pushed out to Omakau.
Council planning and infrastructure acting group manager Lee Webster said that would be a conversation for another day.
"If there were no problems, there would be no issue."
The ban would only apply to public land in the ban area.
Alcohol could still be consumed on licensed premises and private property.
Councillors Feinerman and Cheryl Laws offered to hear any public submissions on the change following consultation with the community.
No dates were given for the consultation.
