A comprehensive 2-year project to reduce alcohol-related violence is underway in Queenstown Lakes District.

The Ministry of Justice demonstration programme is being trialled in Queenstown, Rotorua and Hastings/Napier.

"There is no question that given the high profile of alcohol related violence in the area over the last few weeks, this programme is very timely for Queenstown," Queenstown Lakes District Council Mayor Clive Geddes said.

The project also coincided with the council?s review of its Liquor Licensing Policy, which attracted in excess of 500 submissions and was set down for a public hearing in March, he said.

Mayor Geddes welcomed the initiative which included an annual budget of $100,000 per annum over the trial period in order to enable the council to employ a Curbing Alcohol Related Violence (CARV) project manager.

Tasked with co-ordinating an active partnership between the council, police, the district health boards and the Crime Prevention Unit, project manager David Richards took up the position on Monday.

Stemming from a varied career in community development and public health, mostly based in Bristol, England, Mr Richards more recently spent two years in Nelson co-ordinating a youth workers collective.

"Part of that work included the provision of harm minimisation around alcohol and drug use by young people," Mr Richards said.

He was looking forward to forging relationships with the council, local police, associated agencies and the community.

"Part of providing evidenced-based practice and action plans will involve getting to know and understand the community and the nature of the problem," Mr Richards said.

The programme came with an amazing support network in place, he said.

"I will be working closely with the Ministry of Justice Crime Prevention Unit," Mr Richards said.

Nationally and locally there was a strong will to deliver on the project.

"That's going to take a lot of coordination, liaison and research on my part," Mr Richards said.

ENDS

For further information please contact David Richards 03 441 0499

By: Sarah