Four years of failed attempts to get a dedicated student bar in Dunedin have pushed scarfies to prepare a public campaign to find a new site.
The last dedicated student pub – Starters Bar – was shut down due to earthquake risks and is now demolished.
The Otago University Students’ Association is searching sites for a new licensed bar, but hasn’t secured one yet.
President Liam White told 1News: “We had a great location but unfortunately we were outbid on the building.”
However, this coming semester, the association plans to gather public support.
“We’re looking at a community campaign of trying to get key stakeholders to sign on. We’re also trying to find the funding – that one’s really challenging.”
Hospitality New Zealand’s Otago vice president Claire Grenfell, who is also owner of The Craic Irish Tavern in The Octagon, told 1News: “We really endorse students going out into licensed premises for a safer environment. The venues have lots of checks and balances.”
After the death of Sophia Crestani in a crowd crush at a flat in 2019, the university and emergency services have been keeping a closer eye on party sizes in flatting areas.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Otago District Commander Craig Geddes said while the frequency of overcrowding is dropping, “there’s still occasions where we could do better”.
“Particularly St Paddy’s Day was a really good example of where things got a little bit out of control.”
Dunedin Licensing Committee chairman Colin Weatherall said many issues reported around the city “are in the streets of the student flat areas, although they’re getting better”.