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Submissions on the draft Local Alcohol Policy
Memorandum,
dated 4 September 2017 from the Policy Analyst, Peter Ridge.
The following people appeared before the Committee and made oral
statements in support of their submissions and replied to questions from
Elected Members.
MidCentral Health (31)
Representing the MidCentral Health, Dr Rob Weir spoke to the
submission and made the following additional comments:
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Of all the Local Alcohol Policies (LAP) that
have been adopted nationwide only one has not been appealed.
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LAPs in Horowhenua and Wanganui have been
appealed based on off licence trading times.
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MidCentral Health had been collecting data
from Emergency Department over a number of years that provided useful
evidence but probably did not meet the standard required for Hearings.
Creative Catering at the Awapuni Function Centre (20)
Representing Awapuni Function Centre, Mr Alasdair Robertson,
provided a PowerPoint presentation and made the following additional
comments:
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Were supportive of the initiative to encourage
the minimisation of harm caused by alcohol but the draft proposal did not
recognise the existence of a designated and purpose built facility.
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There should be a distinction between a
blanket geographic ban and the approved existence of a planned, approved and
well managed facility.
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The proposed LAP would affect the vast
majority of events that are held at the Function Centre and cause significant
commercial and social benefit damage to the Function Centre.
Big Barrel (21)
Representing Big Barrel, Ms Vicki Samuels and Ms Shelley Kennard
spoke to the submission and made the following additional comments:
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Closing at 9.00pm would prevent the public
from “pre-loading” prior to heading into town and reduce amount
of drunk drivers on our roads.
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The current proposal of 10.00pm closing would
not make enough of an impact and would encourage young drivers to be driving
late at night to get last minute supplies. A lot of these drivers are
on restricted driver licenses and this would encourage them to drive
illegally outside their restricted hours.
The Albert Sports Bar (27)
Representing The Albert Sports Bar, Mr Jared Rawiri spoke to the
submission and made the following additional comment:
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Currently the availability of alcohol was huge
and changing the time that places open or close will not affect that.
If individuals wanted to drink they will find a place.
Jonathan P Galuska (28)
Mr Galuska spoke to his submission and made the following
additional comment:
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The Policy needed to be evidence and there is
not enough evidence to make the changes that are being proposed.
Health Promotion Agency (30)
Representing the Health Promotion Agency, Ms Cathy Bruce and Ms Giselle
Bareta spoke to the submission and made the following additional comments:
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Were supportive of Council’s decision to
develop a LAP and encouraged the Council to be bold, and ensure that the
policy reflects the views of the community
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Overall were supportive of the LAP and suggest
strengthening the content to ensure that it meets the object of the Act. The
areas that could be strengthened are around location and number of premises,
special licences and discretionary conditions.
Corrine Smith (34)
Ms Corrine Smith spoke to her submission and made the following
additional comments:
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Had concerns regarding the negative affect of
alcohol on communities and as a nurse had seen many incidents of domestic
violence fuelled by alcohol and carnage from car accidents
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Believed that the LAP should be strengthened
as it was about finding ways of reducing harm and protecting communities.
Andy Towers (35)
Mr Andy Towers spoke to his submission and made the following
additional comments:
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The policy was not a strong policy and there
was no evidence to back it up. There was a real concern regarding the
level of data available as the law states evidence has to be shown to support
the policy.
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It was not clear once you buy alcohol from the
supermarket where the harm comes in.
Warren McLaughlin (38)
Mr Warren McLaughlin spoke to his submission and made no
additional comments.
Safety Advisory Board (40)
Representing the Safety Advisory Board, Cr Vaughan Dennison and Ms
Zoe Kavanagh spoke to the submission and made no additional comments.
Willow Park Tavern ( 41)
Representing Willow Park Tavern, Mr Fraser Donaldson spoke to the
submission and made the following additional comments:
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Did not see how changing the closing time
would reduce harm. On premise operators were generally operating at a
good level.
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Willow Park had two branches to its business
(a tavern and function area) and if hours were changed wouldn’t be able
to cater to those that use the function area.
Alcohol Healthwatch (42)
Representing Alcohol Healthwatch, Mr Nathan Cowie and Ms Nicki
Jackson spoke to the submission and made no additional comments.
Foodstuffs North Island Limited (43)
Representing Foodstuffs North Island Limited, Mr Iain Thain spoke
to the submission and made the following additional comments:
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It was positive that the policy was clear and
simple as other LAPs had been appealed due to their ambiguity.
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The main business for supermarkets was not
alcohol and therefore wanted to be able stay open longer to provide better
service to their customers.
Hospitality New Zealand Palmerston North (44)
Representing Hospitality New Zealand
Palmerston North, Mr Chris Hince and Ms Colleen Maxwell spoke to the
submission and made the following additional comments:
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A policy had to be proportionate to the amount
of harm.
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Individuals will drink alcohol regardless of
what is in a Policy and reducing hours could increase the at home drinking.
Progressive Enterprises Limited (45)
Representing Progressive Enterprises
Limited, Mr Paul Radich spoke to the submission and made the following
additional comment:
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The proposed change of time would have
significant impact on their stores but they understand what Council is trying
to achieve.
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