Council passes updated liquor control bylaw

December 8th, 2012
[by David Armstrong]

The Council's updated liquor in public places bylaw was passed for adoption at the Council meeting last week and will come into effect next Friday, December 14th.

The Consolidated Bylaw Chapter 3: Control of Liquor in Public Places Bylaw 2012 controls possession or consumption of alcohol within broadly specified areas. Possession or consumption of alcohol in those public places for which the Bylaw is operating is prohibited with some exemptions.

Council says the bylaw's purpose is to enhance the safety of the public and allow their responsible enjoyment of public places in the District. It provides for liquor control in specified public places, at specified dates and times, with the aim of reducing alcohol-related harm and offences.

It generally does not apply to residential properties, but may apply to the footpath and street outside houses, so you shouldn’t have alcohol at a street party unless you have an exemption.

As long as alcohol is in unopened bottles, you don’t breach the bylaw bringing alcohol from a supplier, or taking alcohol from your home to another residence, or a licensed restaurant or cafe.

Camping sites that have been hired are not public places, even in Council owned camping grounds, so within reasonable limits nothing prevents consumption of alcohol on a rented camp site. The common areas such as roads, paths and some common facilities through a camping ground are public places and the bylaw applies.

Most urban areas of Tasman District are included in the places controlled by the bylaw. Different hours of control apply to different locations, but there is a 24-hour ban in central Motueka and 7pm to 7am in many outer urban areas.

Anyone applying for and granted a written exemption from the bylaw is permitted to run an event or occasion which allows a limited amount of alcohol to be consumed in a public place that is controlled by the bylaw.

Examples may be a bridal party wishing to consume alcoholic drinks during a photo session in one of Council's parks or reserves, or at a popular beach such as Kaiteriteri, during a time when the bylaw would otherwise prevent that from happening.

Or it could be as simple as a work or family group wanting to have a picnic in similar locations, and wanting to include alcoholic drinks in the range of refreshments being taken.

The bylaw is available for viewing or purchase at Tasman District Council offices or can be downloaded from the Council website using this link.

Maps of the parts of Motueka which are subject to this bylaw can be downloaded here.

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