While some in the Queenstown Lakes district may have raised their eyebrows at the results of an online survey in relation to a district alcohol policy, Mayor Vanessa van Uden said one thing was clear.
''I believe that amount of people [961 respondents] had that opinion.''
The survey, instigated by the Queenstown Lakes District Council, showed the majority of respondents believed there was little or no negative impact associated with drinking in pubs, bars or clubs or anywhere else in the district.
The majority also felt alcohol played little or no part in sexual violence, vandalism or property crime, antisocial behaviour, road accidents or dangerous driving.
However, 52% believed alcohol was either the main factor in physical violence, while 41% believed it was a minor contributing factor, or not a contributor at all.
Forty-two percent said alcohol was a key factor in family and domestic violence and 36% disagreed.
The results of the survey, which aimed to gather the community's views on drinking habits, the availability of alcohol and its perceived impact, were released on Wednesday afternoon.
Ms van Uden said yesterday she would not ''presuppose anything'' about attempts to weight the survey in one direction or another and, ultimately, it was nothing more than an information-gathering exercise.
''It's a higher than normal response and you can theorise all day about why that is ... it doesn't surprise me, it's quite a high-profile issue in the community.''
''That decision hasn't been made and it won't be made on one piece of information either for, or against,'' she said.
The survey results would be analysed and collated with other information, including from the police and the Medial Officer of Health, before the council decided whether to go ahead with a local alcohol policy.
