Jamie Templeton, of Wellington, told the Dunedin District Licensing Committee yesterday there seemed to be a particular problem with alcohol in Dunedin as he had not struck the same issues with the event in other major centres during the past five years.
In the past three years, the ''Illuminate'' paint party in Dunedin has been associated with high levels of drunkenness, resulting in serious injuries and tying up significant police and St John and hospital emergency department resources.
Mr Templeton faces opposition from regulatory authorities to his application for a special licence to run the event outdoors at Logan Park next year, just metres from student flats in Harbour Tce and Forth St.
He yesterday suggested a swag of measures to mitigate concerns, including making the event shorter and securing a 250m alcohol-free area around the event.
He tried running the event alcohol-free last year, but there were the same issues and low ticket sales, making it not financially viable, so he had worked hard to find some middle ground, which he hoped would be viewed with ''proper reasoning''.
But health, police and council representatives said they still had no confidence Mr Templeton could run a safe event, because of its recent history, its target audience and the proposed location.
They still expected the party would cause significant alcohol-related harm and disturbance both at it and around its periphery, in student flats, on streets around the site and on the rest of Logan Park.
Sergeant Ian Paul said police dealt with significant pre-loading at Logan Park and out-of-control parties in Harbour Tce before the last two paint parties, at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
''And what you're proposing is putting an alcohol-related event slap-bang in the middle of where this is happening.''
Nearby flats would would have parties with free entertainment provided by the paint party, and Logan Park would be vomited and urinated on.
He recognised some of that was outside the control of the applicant, but the event would nonetheless attract people to that area.
Medical officer of health Dr Keith Reid said breath-testing might help manage further drunkenness at the party, but it was just a suggestion and he was not ''hung up'' on it.
He was, however, concerned a secondary school athletics tournament was on the same day in the same park.
Council licensing inspector Martine Cashell-Smith was concerned people in wet clothing were susceptible to hypothermia, even at 10degC. She also pointed out OUSA did not support the event.
All three told the DLC they thought Mr Templeton's application was deficient and his planning inadequate.
They were particularly concerned security guards and organisations such as Red Frogs and St John were not already locked in, and were sceptical Dunedin had enough security guards to manage the event as suggested.
Fire Service representative Mike Harris said there was concern about rubbish fires after the party finished.
Mr Templeton said he believed his plan was adequate and he had not encountered opposition to similar licence applications in other cities.
He said he had an email that showed OUSA could not support the event because it competed financially with OUSA events.
It made no financial sense to book security and other groups until he had a licence and the event was going ahead, he said.
His associate, Faith Van Lith, said she was concerned such pressure was being put on managed events, when the issue was the pre-loading.
The DLC adjourned to consider its decision.
Paint party
What are problems
2012: @ the Edgar Centre. More than 2000 people. Insufficient security, toilets, food, transport. Woman (20) found covered in vomit and hypothermic lying in nearby industrial area early next morning.
2013: @ Forsyth Barr Stadium. 4500 people. 20 alcohol-related presentations from party to Dunedin Hospital ED, largely injuries from slipping on paint. One person's jaw was broken, two people needed dental implants as a result. Police dealt with extremely intoxicated 16- and 17-year-olds outside venue. Logan Park strewn with glass and pre-loaders.
2014: @ Forsyth Barr Stadium. Alcohol-free event. 1700 people (includes 1000 free tickets). Nine alcohol-related presentations from party to ED. Logan Park again busy. Debate about how ''successful'' it was.
Solving the problems
Ideas to alleviate concerns include. -
• No passouts.
• Possible 250m-wide liquor ban around party site.
• More security guards, portable toilets, rubbish bins, low-alcohol beer, and free water.
• Provide shade and free sunscreen.
• Shorter party duration.
• No caffeine-based drinks.
• Anti-pre-loading marketing campaign.
• No glass allowed
