BW Festival's Case For Liquor License

It's looking like the BW Summer Festival seems certain to gain a special liquor license after an application was presented to Gisborne District Licensing Committee, that has the support of police and the medical officer of health.

Previously BW has been a BYO event which has lead to liquor abuse issues.

BW operation manager Andy Kinsella said the change to a licensed event would be significant.

Attendees would be told “BW is not the BW of old”.

Tightening alcohol control would be a positive step and make “Gisborne the place to be for the right reason”.

He was expecting camp numbers to be between 9000 and 10,000, compared to 10,000 in 2013 and 13,750 in 2012.

BW are applying for a special on-licence from 10am to 9pm from December 27 to December 31.

Other conditions include no alcohol stronger than 5 percent, no caffeine RTDs, only beer, cider and RTDs to be sold, more water stations and no alcohol brought into the grounds.

Mr Kinsella said the BW Festival’s previous unruly behaviour had potential to cause harm to patrons and staff.

He identified four critical factors — alcohol consumption, lack of patron accountability, mob mentality and patron boredom.

A special licence would allow full control of alcohol distribution, no sales to intoxicated patrons, while misbehaving patrons could be warned and banned from buying liquor.

Anyone without a wristband would not be admitted.

All bags would be searched and there would be 24-hour security, food and water available. Staff would check identification of patrons who appeared to be under 25.

There would be a chill-out zone for those who needed quiet and supervised time away from the festival (with water available but not alcohol), a time-out zone for patrons identified as having behavioural issues and a first aid zone.

Patrons are to be made aware of the change from BYO to licensed premises by Facebook, email, website and on the tickets.

BW would invest in local assets, use local people and promote local events like surfing, the Olympic Pool, golf courses, Rere and the Takitimu.

Source: Gisborneherald.co.nz