[comment caption=Should Queenstown bars have to close at 2am?]Queenstown police have called for all downtown bars to close at 2am - without exception - because they say the longer premises stay open, the more alcohol-fuelled violence and disorder occurs in the resort.
Senior Sergeant John Fookes, of Queenstown, yesterday told a Liquor Licensing Authority review that a blanket 2am closing would significantly reduce violence, disorder, and intentional damage in the resort.
Snr Sgt Fookes said one of the arguments against a blan- ket closing time had been there would be a spike in violence and disorder at that time.
However, Queenstown had a 2.30am blanket close between 1996 and 1998 and officers working then advised there was no such spike.
Snr Sgt Fookes said although 4am closing had been incrementally introduced, the numbers of violent offences, domestic disputes and drunks requiring care after 5am had started to reduce in 2009 compared with previous years.
He and licensing inspectors called for more time for the effects of 4am closing to be fully assessed.
Snr Sgt Fookes said a sample taken during the past two years showed 626 offenders, who were known to have consumed alcohol before offending, were caught by police between 10pm and 7am.
This compared with 85 intoxicated offenders caught between 7am and 5pm.
"Of those apprehended between 10pm and 7am, who had consumed alcohol prior to offending, 60% are recorded as having done so in licensed premises . . . for the corresponding 10pm-to-7am period in Invercargill, of those who had consumed alcohol prior to offending, 24% are recorded as having done so in licensed premises."The licensing authority review of the Queenstown Lakes District Council's restriction of 24-hour liquor licences to 4am yesterday heard from police and a council licensing inspector that the high turnover of duty managers and bar staff was also a concern.
Transient managers' knowledge of the Sale of Liquor Act varied depending on the induction policy at the establishment, and the review was told some managers were allowing "pre-loaded" patrons on to licensed premises and serving them alcohol.
"Once they are out the licensee's door, they are our problem," Liquor Licensing Sergeant Keith Newell, of Queenstown, told Judge Edward Unwin and his three panellists.
Sgt Newell said most of the 111 people processed for drink-driving in Queenstown since January 1 were apprehended after they had driven from licensed premises, as opposed to drinking at home.
Liquor licensing inspector Lee Webster told the hearing there had been a 2.8% drop in noise complaints since 24-hour licences began to be restricted.
Queenstown Lakes District Licensing Agency counsel Graeme Todd told the panel the agency had received very few special licence applications to extend trading hours since the 4am policy was introduced.
Nine were received - six related to New Year's Eve.
Two were granted and one was declined because the applicant failed to attend the hearing.
However, Good Group Ltd chief executive Russell Gray suggested bar operators' understanding and compliance with the special licence process were greater factors than demand.
Subculture owner-operator Simon Hendl said the special licence conditions imposed on the live entertainment venue and nightclub for New Year's Eve were so extreme they had prevented his business from applying again until last month.
Subculture was "fighting for survival" since its 24-hour licence was reduced to 4am in August 2008.
He had only been able to afford to employ one full-time staff member and host only three international acts, compared with 10 previously, after "losing two of our busiest hours of trade and door take".
Judge Unwin said the authority would await the verdict of Good Group's legal challenge at the Court of Appeal, on October 21, which he expected in November or December.
His panel would issue its review report afterwards.
