Few knew Queenstown liquor ban in force

Central Queenstown's year-round 10pm-8am liquor ban came into force yesterday – and hardly anyone knew.

The bylaw, which also applies to parts of Frankton, Arrowtown, Wanaka and Lake Hawea, has not been formally notified in local newspapers, and few, if any signs, have been erected.

The only sign visible in Queenstown yesterday said a liquor ban applied from 6am on June 26 to 6am on July 1, which could imply there are no restrictions for the rest of the year.

Some operators in the hospitality industry said the lack of notification meant the bylaw was not enforceable.

"It's ridiculous," said one backpacker manager who did not know of the bylaw. "Without signs or people such as us knowing about the bylaw, how are visitors to know?"

But in the eyes of the law – in this case the Bylaws Act 1910 – ignorance is no excuse.

Good Group chief executive Russell Gray was aware of the December 1 implementation date as a member of the Queenstown liquor liaison working party, and he supports the move. But he said "it's hard to sell a secret".

"In business you try to advise the stakeholders of changes, and the community are the stakeholders in respect of this. But perhaps the council has got something planned," Mr Gray said.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council's website lists the Liquor (Control of Liquor in Public Places) Bylaw 2009, and it notes that the lack of signs "does not authorise a breach of this bylaw".

Lakes Environmental health principal Lee Webster said the bylaw had been publicised on the council website, but he acknowledged not everyone would have seen it. Signs were in the process of being erected in the areas where the bylaw applied.

He said people were liable to be prosecuted from yesterday but the police would be taking a sensible approach to any breaches.

Sergeant Brian Cameron, of Queenstown, said while few people were aware of the bylaw yesterday, the police were aware of its existence, and there had not been any breaches detected in the first eight hours of operation.

The ban includes possessing or consuming alcohol in particular areas but exemptions include areas or events where a liquor licence has been issued, or people buying liquor and carrying it to a vehicle. The maximum penalty for breaching the bylaw is $20,000.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Sasquatch   #2   08:02 am Dec 04 2009

ignorance of the law...blah...blah...blah...

hamish McCallum   #1   08:21 pm Dec 03 2009

What a joke,are these guys for real,encourage responsible behaviour and let everybody enjoy the fruits of the grape

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