Dunedin City Council – Kaunihera-a-rohe o Otepoti

Review of Alcohol (Control of Alcohol in Public Places) Bylaw

Last updated: 21 Sep 2026 12:19am

Closes: 23/10/2026

Introduction

We are reviewing the Alcohol (Control of Alcohol in Public Places) Bylaw and would like to know what you think.

Background

The Local Government Act 2002 (the Act) provides the power for councils to make alcohol control bylaws in areas where there is evidence of a high level of alcohol-related crime or disorder. The current bylaw was introduced in 2004 and prohibits people from bringing, possessing or consuming alcohol in a designated public area of central Dunedin (with some exemptions). The NZ Police enforce the bylaw. The bylaw is due for review.

Proposals and options

Central city alcohol ban - no change proposed

Alcohol ban map

Following initial community engagement, it is proposed to retain the current central city alcohol ban (with some exemptions). This helps to reduce violence, disorder and unsafe behaviour and is in response to requests from the Police, evidence provided by the Police on the high level of crime and disorder in this area, and community feedback.

Option 1: Retain the permanent central city alcohol ban (proposed).
Advantages
  • Greater ability to protect public health and safety and to protect public from nuisance.
  • Greater ability to reduce the high level of crime and disorder in this area.
  • Responds to requests and feedback from the Police, other organisations and the community.
Disadvantages
  • Potentially restrictive for some members of the public.
Option 2: Do not retain the permanent central city alcohol ban.
Advantages
  • Less restriction for some members of the public.
Disadvantages
  • Removes an effective tool to address some alcohol related issues in this area.
  • Limited ability to protect public health and safety and to protect public from nuisance.
  • Limited ability to reduce the high level of crime and disorder in this area.

Logan Park sports hub area – introduce a permanent alcohol ban

Temporary Alcohol Restriction map 21 - 22 Sept 2019

It is also proposed to introduce a permanent alcohol ban in the Logan Park sports hub area. This would help to reduce some alcohol related issues in this area including crime and disorder. This area regularly has temporary alcohol bans in place, such as for planned events. The proposal to introduce a permanent ban is in response to requests from the Police and other organisations, as well as evidence about the level of crime and disorder in the area.

Option 1: Introduce a permanent alcohol ban in the Logan Park sports hub area (proposed).
Advantages
  • Provides a stronger, more consistent tool than regular temporary bans to reduce the level of crime and disorder.
  • Greater ability to protect public health and safety and protect the public from nuisance.
  • Responds to requests from the Police and other organisations.
Disadvantages
  • More restrictive for some members of the public.
Option 2: Do not introduce a permanent alcohol ban in the Logan Park sports hub area (status quo).
Advantages
  • Less restriction for some members of the public.
Disadvantages
  • Lost opportunity for a more effective tool to address some alcohol related issues in this area.
  • Lost opportunity to protect public health and safety and to protect public from nuisance.
  • Lost opportunity to reduce the level of crime and disorder in this area.

Other proposed changes

Other changes are proposed to clarify and simplify the bylaw and these are detailed here:

SectionProposed changeReason
Title Amend to Alcohol Control Bylaw To be clearer and simpler.
Purpose Add a Purpose To be clear about the purpose of the bylaw.
Explanatory notes Add explanatory notes e.g.
  • about the Regulatory Standards Act 2025 requirements
  • about special licences, Council resolutions, temporary alcohol bans, powers of the Police, and offences.
  • Required by section 14 of the Regulatory Standards Act 2025.
  • For extra clarification.
Public notice of resolution Amend that Council must notify any resolution for a temporary alcohol ban by signage where it is practicable and reasonable to do so. To better reflect requirements of the Act.
Powers of the Police Remove some detail that duplicates the Act whilst referring to it, and providing an explanatory note. To simplify this section.
Warning by the Police Remove this section that duplicates the Act and provide an explanatory note. To simplify this information.
Offences Add more detail about infringement offences including an explanatory note. To provide more information and explanation, and to better reflect the Act.
Schedule B – Specified Restricted Places Add Logan Park sports hub area to Schedule B. To reduce alcohol related harm in this area.
In response to requests from the Police and community feedback.
Throughout bylaw Wording amendments To modernise, clarify and simplify the language.

While there has been some interest in alcohol bans in other areas such as North Dunedin, South Dunedin, and sportsgrounds, it is not proposed to introduce alcohol bans in these areas at this stage. This is because there is insufficient evidence of crime and disorder here and a ban may not be justified as a reasonable limitation on people’s rights and freedoms.

Consultation documents

Consultation details

Closing date 23/10/2026
Contact person Business Advisor - Compliance Solutions
Public feedback

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