Tighter alcohol restrictions could be coming for Dunedin, but the public will first get its say on the proposed changes. The Dunedin City Council’s Local Alcohol Policy aims to ensure the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol is undertaken safely and responsibly, and minimise the harm caused by excessive or inappropriate consumption of alcohol. The new draft policy proposes a raft of changes, including: not allowing new off-licence establishments to open within 200m of an existing one, prohibiting “buy now, pay later” schemes for buying alcohol and banning external-facing displays of alcohol-related advertising or promotions. It also proposes restricting the hours in which alcohol can be sold to 9am to 9pm for off-licence establishments (from the current 7am to 10pm) and for on-licence premises, changing the opening time from 8am to 9am. Council staff said these proposed changes were aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm. The report highlights that North Dunedin comprises 7%-8% of the total Dunedin population yet contributed between 23% and 27% of all alcohol-related hospital emergency department visits in 2018 to 2024. Police reported 2002 drink-drive offences in Dunedin and 3255 incidents of alcohol-related family harm from 2022 to 2025. The sale of alcohol in glass vessels was something police, the medical officer of health and alcohol licensing inspector wanted restrictions around. The Sophia Charter — a community commitment aimed at enhancing student safety and wellbeing in North Dunedin, established after student Sophia Crestani died at a flat party — also supported the sale of alcohol in glass vessels being restricted. But after seeking legal advice, staff proposed a “proportionate” response to the issue was to restrict the sale of alcohol in glass containers on a case-by-case basis. At a council meeting this month, councillors unanimously voted to take the draft policy to public consultation. Cr Jo Galer looked forward to the public consultation. “As a council, we must figure this out with the public, hospitality businesses and young people working alongside us, not against us,” she said. Cr Galer wanted safe access to alcohol for students and young people. “For the safety of young people, we cannot afford to lose more bars and venues where drinking can happen in controlled environments.” The proposal was “brave and much-needed”, she said. “This draft policy takes us from a very permissive position to a far more regulated one and represents a tougher stance on alcohol in this city than we’ve seen in decades. “Many people won’t like these restrictions in the moment but they, their parents, and our healthcare community will be thankful the next day, I can guarantee you that.” Cr Brent Weatherall supported public consultation on the draft policy, but did not endorse every change proposed. “My concern is that we risk making life harder for responsible businesses and responsible consumers without being certain we are actually addressing the behaviour causing the harm,” he said. Cr Russell Lund questioned whether the proposed restrictions were enough and thought banning supermarkets from selling alcohol was an idea worth exploring. He pointed to Invercargill as an example. “Removing the ability to sell alcohol in supermarkets has a material and dramatic effect on the rate of alcohol-related harm,” he said. “It’s probably not possible in this policy, but if we want to get serious … we should look into that.” The public consultation process was scheduled to begin in late August. felicity.dear@odt.co.nz
