Group taking aim at alcohol harm

Measures such as raising alcohol prices and the alcohol purchase age while reducing liquor accessibility will be recommended to the Government by a Queenstown group.

A public forum on alcohol law-reform proposals in Queenstown last night decided a "community alliance" group submission should be sent to the Government as soon as the Alcohol Law Reform Bill is passed.

Queenstown United in Violence and Alcohol Reduction chairwoman Ann Fowler told the forum the community needed to unite to make sure the Government listened to local people.

"Effective regulation was needed to change New Zealand's harmful drinking culture."

She proposed the group focus on five policies to solve the national alcohol crisis.

"We need to talk about raising alcohol prices, raising the alcohol purchase age, reducing alcohol accessibility, reducing marketing and advertising and increasing drink-driving counter-measures,"Acting forum chairman Peter Gibson said many points raised could be turned into submissions.

"We are hoping to prepare a group to make effective change."

Queenstown Lakes district councillor Cath Gilmour said she would like the council to work with the group to bring change.

Ms Fowler said the Alcohol Reform Bill was likely to pass next month, with submissions likely to be considered by the justice and electoral select committee soon afterwards.

The group planned to make a proposal and would also consider making individual submissions.

"If I can offer some advice ... try not to write the submission to a template. Make it personal and it will be a lot more powerful."

Ms Fowler also discussed the concept of introducing a "mellow yellow" operation throughout Queenstown at night.

"Doormen, police and other community guards would all wear yellow jackets to give a perception of safety within the community."