Outram's rugby club has been told there is a "high expectation" there will not be a repeat of behaviour that raised concerns ahead of its 125th celebratory jubilee.

An application for a special liquor licence by the West Taieri Rugby Football Club was heard by Dunedin’s district licensing committee on Friday.

It was initially opposed by the medical officer of health delegate and a licensing inspector, who raised concerns after a site visit last month.

This included reports of discarded beer bottles, a patron with wobbly balance and slurred speech attempting to leave with an alcoholic drink and "fresh vomit" found outside the club’s main entrance.

The rugby club, which holds a club licence, was seeking a special licence for its 125th jubilee celebrations, scheduled for May 9-11.

At the hearing, medical officer of health delegate Aaron Whipp said having since corresponded with the applicant he was more confident the event would be run "in a much better manner" than what had been observed prior.

"There is a high expectation that we won’t see a repeat of what the inspector saw on your visit, or anything similar to that", committee chairman Colin Weatherall said.

The committee heard that the morning of the hearing, police served the club with a formal warning under the graduated response model and advised the applicant to respond with a risk-mitigation action plan.

Alcohol harm prevention officer Sergeant Steve Jones, of Dunedin, said he too had met the applicant and was "quite happy" with the direction they were taking.

"Police have been impressed with the response from the applicant.

"They have owned previous issues and are very willing to put measures in place to ensure the success, not only of this event, but also their club and their club licence ..."

Members from both the club and a separate jubilee committee presented at the hearing.

Club co-president Craig Nichol said the situation was "perhaps a bit embarrassing".

"We’ve dropped the ball, so to speak, at the last minute right before this event."

The jubilee would feature a marquee separate from the clubrooms, with a self-contained bar.

The club’s own bar would not be open, apart from a period on the Saturday afternoon to cater for three visiting rugby teams who were not involved in the celebrations.

Jubilee committee secretary Liv Thomson said they planned to provide a "rolling supper" throughout the duration of the special licence, as well as a sit-down meal, a continual barbecue and have food trucks available.

"We feel like we’ve covered our bases on ensuring that anyone and everyone has access to food throughout the entirety of the weekend."

Mr Weatherall questioned how the committee could have confidence alcohol and patrons would stay within the licensed areas.

During the event’s planned rugby games, Mr Nichol said he expected people would be out on the sidelines watching, "not in the clubroom drinking, or even in the marquee".

Jubilee committee chairman Brian Thomson added the marquee would be fenced off from the grounds.

Sgt Jones, Mr Whipp and the licensing inspector all withdrew their opposition to the application.

tim.scott@odt.co.nz