Alcohol rules to be reviewed

Waipā residents are to be asked for their views on where people can buy and consume alcohol in the district.

Council’s Strategic Planning and Policy Committee today directed staff to review the district’s alcohol policy to help reduce alcohol-related harm. The decision follows recommendations from the police, alcohol licensing inspectors and the Medical Officer of Health. All three have told Council its policy, last reviewed in 2016, was no longer fit for purpose and should change.

At the same time as the local alcohol policy is under the spotlight, the bylaw which bans alcohol consumption in some parts of the district will also be reviewed. Council will also reconsider the fees it currently charges for alcohol licences given current fees cover less than half of the real costs incurred.

Group manager, district growth and regulatory services Wayne Allan said it made sense to talk with the public on all three issues at the same time.

“By law, local alcohol policies must be reviewed every six years. We will be actively engaging the public so it makes sense, at the same time, to seek people’s views on any other alcohol-related changes being considered.”

Research shows three areas help reduce alcohol-related harm: increasing the price, managing advertising and reducing availability. Councils cannot influence price or advertising. But they can influence how easily alcohol is available by setting rules to manage the location and number of licenced premises, hours of operation and one-way door restrictions.

Councils can also put alcohol bans in place and that will also be tested with the public next year, Allan said.

“Under our existing bylaw, we have three permanent alcohol bans in the district – in the CBDs of Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Kihikihi. This bylaw helps local police keep a lid on alcohol fuelled, anti-social behaviour. Whether any changes are made is something we will want to discuss with the community before Councillors make any decisions.”

Consultation on all three alcohol-related issues will not be undertaken until after Council’s Long-Term Plan is signed off in June next year.