Have your say on the Alcohol Control Bylaw

The Alcohol Control Bylaw enables the council to establish alcohol control areas where alcohol cannot be consumed in public. The council is now inviting the public to have their say on whether this bylaw should continue.

There are currently 23 alcohol control areas across the Far North. These are where high levels of alcohol-related crime and disorder have previously occurred in public. Within these control areas, police have the power to search vehicles and bags for alcohol, seize and remove alcohol, or ask offenders to leave the area. They can also issue $250 fines or arrest those who refuse to comply.

Enforcing the bylaw is at the discretion of the police, who can match their response to the seriousness of the situation. They can choose not to act if alcohol consumption doesn’t involve alcohol-related crime and disorder.

At this stage, the council is only asking whether the current bylaw should continue. This is not a review of the 23 alcohol control areas. These will be reviewed separately in 2024.

Should the current bylaw continue to apply? Have your say here. Alternatively, email your views to submissions@fndc.govt.nz or deliver a written submission to any Far North District Council service centre. The feedback period is open for four weeks from Monday 20 November to Monday 18 December.