With just five days to go before Christmas Eve, Wanaka police have plans to boost their presence in the Upper Clutha region.
Senior Sergeant Allan Grindell said up to 49 officers would be rostered to cover the area during the peak Christmas and New Year holiday period.
Reinforcements would start arriving from other Otago centres from December 26 and remain in the district until January 5.
There would be slightly fewer officers in Wanaka this summer, because no big concerts were planned at Lake Hawea these holidays, Snr Sgt Grindell said.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council has extended its liquor ban area in Wanaka from 6am on December 26 until 6am on January 5.
"We are more than happy with the way things are going. Community constables have been around all the pubs, talking to them about their plans.
"Same thing with the camping grounds, so we are all singing from the same song sheet. If anyone is evicted, they will have to go home and will not be allowed to go anywhere else. So that means back to Gore, Dunedin or Milton," Snr Sgt Grindell said.
Drinkers and drivers take note
• Liquor ban
The summer holidays liquor ban area in Wanaka includes: The whole of the Lake Wanaka foreshore from Sunrise Bay- Edgewater to Penrith Park; and the area from the foreshore to an outer boundary formed by and including the following streets and road reserves - Meadowstone Drive, Stone St, Golf Course Rd, Macpherson St, State Highway 84 and Ardmore St.
• Road closures
There will be road closures in Wanaka from 5.30pm on December 31 until 2am on January 1. Streets affected: Ardmore St from Dungarvon St to the Lakeside Rd-Ardmore St intersection; Helwick St from Ardmore St to Dunmore St.
