In a decision released by the Alcohol Regulatory & Licensing Authority (ARLA) yesterday, it said it was "satisfied" with a December 2023 decision by the Queenstown Lakes District Licensing Committee (DLC) to issue Rhythm & Alps Ltd with a licence for that year’s event.
The decision followed an ARLA hearing attended by representatives of Rhythm & Alps Ltd, police and the Southern district medical officer of health (MoH) in Queenstown in July.
Police and health authorities had appealed DLC’s decision on several grounds, including that it had "failed to properly evaluate evidence of risk of alcohol-related harm" and should not have granted the licence with the existing condition of four serves per person per transaction.
In upholding the DLC’s granting of the licence, the authority said the evidence presented by those opposed was not sufficient to suggest a reduction in serving limits (from four to two) would result in a reduction in harm.
"This Authority is satisfied that based on the evidence (or lack thereof) before it, it was open to the DLC to grant the special licence and keep condition (q) to four serves per person per transaction."
In their appeal, police had also argued the DLC placed "excessive weight" on a condition for hourly meetings between the event duty manager, police and the licensing inspector as "the ultimate safety valve", noting if police were unable to make hourly meetings "for any operational reason", the licensee would be in breach of the condition.
The authority recommended removing the hourly meeting condition and instead requiring the duty manager to meet with police or the licensing inspector "when requested".
Rhythm & Alps organiser Alex Turnbull said it was "a relief we have a decision and we’re relieved it’s one in our favour".
"It’s business as usual and we’re looking forward to delivering another really safe and successful event."
Sergeant Steve Jones, from Alcohol Harm Prevention, said police would "acknowledge" ARLA’s decision.
"Police are committed to seeing less alcohol related harm in our areas and we will continue to work with our partners towards this goal.
"We will have a presence at the festival providing reassurance and ready to respond to any calls for service."
Rhythm & Alps runs from December 30 and 31 in the Cardrona Valley.
