Blenheim police have requested a 24-hour alcohol ban for parts of Renwick starting the morning of the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival after “uncooperative” behaviour at an unrelated “after party” event following this year’s festival.
The proposed ban, on High, Inkerman, Uxbridge and Alma streets, will start at 6am the morning of the February 10 festival, running through to 6am the following day.
Police requested the ban run through to the following day after festival goers ended up at the Woodbourne Tavern last year, for an event coinciding with the festival that was dubbed an “after party”.
Police told the Marlborough District Council that people “ejected” from that event met up with others and congregated on the footpath. They were “generally uncooperative”, a report prepared for the council’s economic, finance and community committee said.
Wairau-Awatere ward councillor Scott Adams said at a committee meeting last month the ban would keep participants safe, and encourage the safe use of alcohol.
The report said Blenheim police had indicated the ban would “greatly assist” in managing the event and prevent any escalation of problems as the day progressed.
The festival had previously been held at the Brancott Vineyard in Fairhall, but following a vineyard development, the venue moved to the Renwick Domain on Uxbridge St in 2023.
The council had the power to implement a temporary alcohol ban under its alcohol control bylaw. It had two permanent alcohol bans in the Blenheim and Picton town centres.
Meanwhile, the council’s commercial events subcommittee approved a $20,000 funding request for the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival.
Minutes for the meeting said it was the first time festival organisers had applied to the council for funding, and it would be used to increase promotion outside the region, following the impact of Covid-19 and shifting the location to Renwick Domain.
The committee also agreed to fund $10,000 for an event called “Brookby Beats 2024” which would be held the day before Wine and Food.
The minutes said the organisers of Wine and Food were supportive of the event, and the funding request, while high, would help its establishment.
The three-year plan was to grow the event to 3000 people. By comparison, up to 8000 people had attended Wine and Food in the past.
Blenheim police also requested the alcohol ban be put in place for the Woodbourne Pig Hunt in 2024. That event was usually held in June and the proposal would be provided to the committee once it was confirmed.
The temporary alcohol ban in Renwick on February 10 and 11 was subject to full council approval on December 14.
Wellington pop R&B band Drax Project were last month announced as headliner for the 2024 Marlborough Wine and Food Festival.
By Maia Hart, Local Democracy Reporter
Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
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