Balclutha's liquor ban area is about to become bigger.
The current ban covered Balclutha's main street stretching from the Night 'n Day store on Essex St to the intersection of Wilson Rd and Clyde St. Various other small lengths of side streets and public spaces are also covered.
Clutha District Council planning and regulatory manager David Campbell said that, following consultation, the council had resolved to extend the liquor ban to include the Cromer St playground and Cromer St from Yarmouth to Essex Sts, and Yarmouth St from Cromer St to Essex St and Paisley St between Renfrew and Lanark Sts.
Mr Campbell said that the liquor ban extension would give police greater powers of enforcement.
The extension was initially proposed after police raised concerns about people drinking and gathering at the Cromer St playground and near the courthouse in Paisley St which had led to problems with littering, disorderly behaviour and disturbance of nearby residents.
Mr Campbell said the council received five submissions on the proposal, all supporting extending the liquor ban area while some submitters called for a total liquor ban across Balclutha. However, this was rejected by the council as it had not been the subject of consultation and there was no evidence a ban was needed elsewhere in the town.
Liquor ban areas will come into effect on Saturday August 2.
