The Dunedin City Council yesterday voted not to extend a liquor ban from the city to North Dunedin, after evidence the drinking culture in the area had changed.
The decision came after both police and University of Otago vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne agreed there had been a shift in students' attitudes to alcohol, and the ban was not needed.
The move was welcomed by Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) president Hugh Baird, who described the news as ''incredibly good''.
Late last year the council extended an inner-city alcohol ban area from blocks surrounding the main streets to include areas where drinkers pre-loaded, including city car parks.
The ban area extended east to Cumberland St and west to Smith St, taking in View St and surrounds, which had experienced alcohol-fuelled disorder in the past few years.
At the time, council staff indicated they would report back on the possibility of a wider extension to North Dunedin.
The council yesterday considered a report from district licensing committee secretary Kevin Mechen, which said police had advised last year's extension had been successful in that area.
Legislation required evidence of a high level of crime and disorder before an alcohol bylaw could be brought in.
''The police have reassessed the need for an extended area into North Dunedin and do not believe there is a need to make any changes at this time.''
Police had noted a steady improvement in the alcohol culture among students, shown by an improved level of behaviour in North Dunedin and the central city.
There had also been an improvement in the management of OUSA events like Orientation.
Prof Hayne was not available for comment yesterday, but in May the university released statistics showing it had only recorded 11 fires in the first three months of this year, a 65% drop on the previous low of 31 for the period.
In 2013 and 2014, more than 30 fires were lit in the month of February alone.
Mr Baird said yesterday it was ''incredibly good'' the council was not going to bring in an alcohol ban in North Dunedin.
''It shows the changing culture, that students can look after their own area.
He said the student culture change described in the council report was not a change to the level of entertainment students took part in, but the anti-social behaviour that had been part of it.
''Everyone still has their parties, and still have good fun, just the level of anti-social behaviour has dropped.''
