Sales of liquor to minors during police sting operations in the past financial year rose to 33%, and continual monitoring is needed to keep on top of the problem, Dunedin City Council liquor licensing co-ordinator Kevin Mechen says.
The annual report of the Dunedin District Licensing Authority, written by Mr Mechen, said 24 premises were visited during "controlled purchase operations", and eight premises made sales to people under 18.
Also in the report, which was approved yesterday by the Dunedin City Council planning and environment committee, is a recommendation to the Government to establishing a minimum pricing structure for off-licences, including supermarkets, that would remove their ability to offer prices that encouraged bulk purchases.
Supermarkets came under fire after the unofficial Undie 500 late last month, when police battled students in Castle St.
Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin complained, after the event, supermarkets' cheap alcohol deals were a contributing factor.
Mr Mechen said yesterday compliance by liquor outlets during controlled purchase operations had been as low as 5%, but there had been a break in operations because the police had other commitments.
It was important to keep the pressure on outlets, and there would be more regular operations in future.
The recommendation to the Government on changes to the Sale of Liquor Act noted that in Dunedin, some supermarkets sold beer for as little as $8.99 for 12 330ml bottles, and "the reality is it allows young people to buy large quantities of liquor for consumption in a very short time".
Mr Mechen said the Liquor Licensing Authority collected annual reports from district licensing authorities around the country, and sometimes picked up on their recommendations.
As well, MP Lianne Dalziel had introduced a Parliamentary liquor control Bill that would allow districts to impose more controls on licensees.
