A push by police to ban alcohol in parts of Balclutha and Milton has won favour with Clutha district councillors and a draft bylaw will be prepared for public feedback.
Yesterday's council regulatory services committee recommended that the full council support the proposed liquor ban bylaw in specific areas in both towns, but did not rule out including parts of other towns in the district.
Police and the council will work together to prepare a draft bylaw, which will be released for public feedback.
It will outline planned areas where it will be illegal to consume or possess alcohol, although police said it was not planning to take an overly Draconian approach.
Council environmental health officer Bob Draper, in a report, said the move was prompted by police who had expressed concerns with liquor and anti-social behaviour at certain public places in Balclutha and Milton.
The police are concerned that liquor is associated with 80% of the violent offending within the area and believe the actions they have been able to take so far have ‘‘not proved effective''.
Having the ability to prevent people having alcohol in those areas was seen as a necessary tool'' to deal with those problems, Mr Draper said.
Sergeant Martin Bull, of Balclutha, who addressed the committee, said cases of dangerous litter, especially broken bottles, were also becoming prevalent.
"It's not a good picture of our district on the whole, with visitors to the town especially.''
Some recent court prosecutions had not seemed to have deterred other offenders from causing trouble.
A blanket bylaw, covering all day and night, was easier for people to understand, Sgt Bull said.
Councillors said the police should get their full support. A proposed bylaw could be released for consultation within the next six weeks.
