Liqour Licensing Policy Submissions 21st July 2010

Submitted by Vince on Wed, 21/07/2010 - 11:25am

Submissions for the Liquor Licensing Policy were heard today (21st July 2010).  Good turnout with 13 groups being heard.

The day started with Beverley Gaily from the Growers Markets, informing the councillors how a typical day on Saturday morning starts with trying to wake up drunks or trying to get people to move their cars from the carpark so that they can setup.

The team at Killer Prawn, stating how important leaving the closing times as they were (staggered) and not have the 1am one door policy as suggested by Council.  The Kamo club and Waipu Hotel asked that they not be treated as the CBD restaurants and bars, and allowed to operate outside the 1am policy.

Warren and Pat Slater highlighted on the human toll that alcohol has on a community and how they personally have been affected by such alcohol incidents.

Near the end of the day, Progressive Enterprises Limited came in and told the councillors how they didn’t need to be included in the Wholesale restricted hours and that most of the problems were in the CBD and not effected by them as they only sell wine and beer to the mom and dads.

But the last presentation, was done by Dr Anil Shetty from the NDHB, were he highlighted that Alcohol was the drug of choice for most New Zealanders and most alcohol related offences happen at the home.

Vince Cocurullo

Comments

WD

Fri, 23/07/2010 - 3:24am

After hearing the submissions I was reminded of one of the first principles taught in science - to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
While my initial position was one of further restriction I guess that having listened to the submissions of those in the industry and the responsible position that they take I'd have to say I now support them.
Sadly, restrictions just push the (extremely serious) problem somewhere else and somewhere that it may not be so easily policed and contained.
I don't envy councillors their decision - they will be damned if they do and damned if they don't.
And why?
Because this is an issue of the personal responsibility of people to their society and that is something you can't legislate for.

Vince

Sat, 31/07/2010 - 6:08am

Thanks Wayne,

Your comments are correct.  It is very hard to make a ruling that will effectively make some of the hospitality industries lose an income.  This is also not what Council would want, as the hospitality industry is just as important as retail and banking is to a city.

Finding the common ground, or finding a solution that Council actually has control over is the answer.

Some district councils have made it illegal for someone to be intoxicated within a public place; this may also work but hasn't been discussed.

Some district councils have made public transport a key to sorting out the problem of disorderly behaviour, also has not been discussed.

Another option is for council to completely change the Alcohol Policy, and move the focus from hours opening to alcohol responsibility.

Over the next month Council has stated that they will be discussing / work-shopping the alcohol policy.

Vince