The move came after acting general manager Therese Mann recommended the council establish the zone in the town.

The decision was not however unanimous with councillors David Evans, Graham Cotter and Chris Corcoran all voting against the move.

Cr Evans has been vocal, at council meetings, for the past couple of months, against the move.

Ms Mann recommended to council that the zone be established in Pudman Street (between Scott and Market Streets) and Queen Streets (between Scott and Market Streets) and Marsden Street (between Pudman and Queen Streets) and Market Street (between Pudman and Queen Street).

The recommendation to introduce the zone came after the current zone in these locations expired.

Council first considered the matter in March this year.

Cr Evans said that taking into account the Director General’s guidelines for alcohol free zones “I don’t believe we need to introduce (the zone) again”.

Cr Evans said he also believed the council should include, in any recommendation regarding the zone, that it had considered the guidelines when making its decision.

“Just to keep ticking the boxes,” Cr Evans said when questioned as to why council should make such a move.

“We’re not putting anything explicit in our minutes to say we have considered them.

“The minutes should stand on their own, that resolution (stating we had considered them) would enable that to happen,” Cr Evans said.

In reply Cr Rob Glendhill said it “is as plain as the nose on your face that we have considered them”.

“Commonsense would tell anyone that we’ve taken them into consideration if you have read the business paper.

“If someone is interested in how a resolution was made let them go to the business paper or website and have a look at the business paper.”

Mayor Wendy Tuckerman asked that if the council started noting as part of all of its recommendations that it had considered certain material in making a decision “where will it end”.