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The Committee considered submissions on
the Draft Local Alcohol Policy 2020 together with supporting oral statements
including additional tabled material.
The following people appeared before the
Committee and made oral statements in support of their submissions and
replied to questions from Elected Members.
Jazz Rawiri, Albert Sports Bar, Royal Hotel (40)
Jazz Rawiri spoke to his submission and
made the following comments:
-
There is a huge regulatory burden for on-licence
premises compared to off-licences.
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On-licence premises are important to encourage
safe drinking in Palmerston North.
-
If the Albert Bar had to close at midnight, it
would be detrimental to business as the majority of bars are empty during the
day and are active at night.
-
What happened to the data from the 2am closing
trial in 2017?
-
The proposed reduced hours for off-licensed
premises isn’t going to affect their trade or change people’s
behaviour.
-
It would be better to consider bars in the industrial
zones on a case by case basis rather than implementing a blanket midnight
close.
-
Bars that have not breached their license
should not be penalised by early closure.
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There has been a lack of publication about the
proposed changes. He said he hadn’t directly been notified about it.
The majority of patrons know nothing about this proposal, there is nothing on
social media and it has fallen short of being properly advertised to patrons.
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The 2017 early closure trial was not
advertised to patrons before the trial started. He asked what sort of
measures were taken to consult people?
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The price disparity between off and on
licenses needs to addressed.
Ian McQueen – BAS (PN) Ltd TA Brewers Apprentice
(43)
Ian McQueen spoke to his submission and
made the following comments:
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The 2am closing trial in 2017 didn’t
work as it meant everyone was on the streets at the same time rather than a
natural drop off between 2-3am. This caused a shortage of taxis available
which resulted in more street violence.
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It had a detrimental effect on the hospitality
industry as income halved and staff worked fewer hours.
-
People didn’t come into town earlier
– but drank more at home.
-
Sydney is not a good example to follow, when
they reduced their opening hours, the late night economy shrank and
there was no change in the levels of violence.
-
We held a 24 hour licence which worked well as
people come in at all times of day and night. However we were quite often
falsely accused by the media for incidents that had occurred near our
premises, even though we might have been closed when the incident happened.
-
Since supermarkets started selling alcohol,
the problem with preloading has increased as they often sell alcohol as loss
leaders. Prices have continued to drop in off-licenses compared to on-licence
premises.
-
Alcohol consumption went down last year.
Kerry Hocquard – Cancer Society of New Zealand
– Manawatū Centre Ltd (51)
Kerry Hocquard spoke to the submission
made by the Cancer Society of New Zealand, she made the following comments:
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There is a link between excess alcohol
consumption and an increased risk of cancer.
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There is no safe level of drinking.
-
Disappointing council hasn’t used all of
its powers to limit alcohol consumption.
-
Council needs to reduce the saturation of
alcohol outlets near sensitive areas ie schools, playgrounds, places of
worship. Many supermarkets and liquor outlets are at most 10 mins to nearest
school.
-
Alcohol outlets in our most highly deprived
areas are causing the most harm.
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Council needs to advocate to central government
measures that reduce alcohol consumption.
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Children are heavily exposed to alcohol
advertising.
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There needs to be more restrictions on alcohol
sponsorship and age limits.
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Although there is a difference between
off-licence and on-licence alcohol consumption, our commitment is to reduce
consumption everywhere.
Lourie Family – Orlando Country (55)
Angus Lourie spoke to his submission and
made the following comments:
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As an event and conference centre the proposal to close at
midnight would require us ending events at 11pm and sending people to
town to carry on partying.
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It takes an hour to close the venue, we want people to be able
to leave in a reasonable manner and not feel pressured to finish their drinks
quickly.
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We would rather people stay with us where we can guarantee
their safety.
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The proposal is going to discourage people from coming to
Palmerston North. As a conference centre we are competing regionally so putting
local restrictions on trading hours will mean people choose venues elsewhere.
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Unfortunately the safe thing (i.e. to buy alcohol at a pub) is
too expensive for most people so they end up pre-loading before going into
town. The government need to encourage pubs to drop their prices so they are competitive
with off-licences.
Jules Grace (56)
Jules Grace spoke to his submission made the
following comments:
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Licenced premises are the safest place to
consume alcohol. The current 3am closing time works well and
there is no need to change it.
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Reducing on-licence hours won’t reduce
harm but will push people to go elsewhere to drink.
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Alcohol harm is mostly due to pre-loading and happens
outside of the bars on the streets because drunk people are not let into the
bars.
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There is a lack of police presence which means
people get away with consuming alcohol on the streets which can lead to
street violence.
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The city’s reputation will be harmed if
Council goes ahead with the proposal, as our vibrant nightlife will
die. Alcohol is not the element that makes a vibrant night life, but is
a contributing factor.
Reuben Takara (62)
Reuben Takara spoke to his submission
made the following comments:
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Experience as a bouncer in Palmerston North:
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Preloading has become more of a problem
since the supermarkets have been allowed to sell alcohol. They often sell it
cheaply or as a loss leader, which has meant the availability of alcohol has
expanded in society.
·
There seems to be a much lower responsibility
to minimise harm for off-licences than for on-licences. This has enabled
underage drinking and excessive drinking to prosper.
·
The Police commissioned early closing trial in
2017 failed miserably. Violence increased which put more pressure on police.
Bars felt pressure to participate in the trial but once we’d agree, no
additional support was given. Patrons came into town at the same time but
they had been drinking more.
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Things that do work to reduce alcohol harm
include:
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A one-way door policy at 2.30am.
·
Increase pressure of police on the streets.
·
Angels on the streets (need to reinstated) to
help drunk people get home or sober them up.
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Massey University Student Association needs to
be more involved in working with student hotspots in the city.
Audrey Jarvis – “Let the Children Live”
Group, Wesley Broadway Methodist Church (39)
Audrey Jarvis spoke to the submission
from the “Let the Children Live” group she made the following
comments:
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Excessive alcohol consumption increases the
risk of family violence.
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International research has found excessive
preloading increases the risk of domestic violence.
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The group strongly support reducing the
trading hours for off-licence premises.
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There is an issue of location of licenced
premises, it is important that the district plan seeks consultation for all
new licenced premises.
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Re-directing alcohol advertisements from young
people to adults is important.
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There needs to be more legislation to reduce alcohol
harm.
Giselle Barets - Health Promotion Agency Te Hiringa
Hauroa (50)
Giselle Barets spoke to the submission
from Te Hiringa Hauroa, she made the following
comments:
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The agency supports the work the Council is doing
to minimise alcohol harm. The draft policy is easy to read.
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It is recommended that the council separates
the early and late hours in the policy.
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Need to include a part on limiting the growth
of alcohol outlets in sensitive sites in the city and list these sites
in the policy. Could also look at freezing new licences or having a cap in
areas which have too many alcohol outlets.
Dr Rob Weir –
MidCentral DHB Public Health Service (49)
A presentation was tabled at the meeting
for circulation to Elected Members.
Dr Rob Weir spoke on the MidCentral
DHB’s submission, he made the following comments:
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The DHB supports the proposal with a review in
two years.
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Sensitive sites should be included in the
draft policy.
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Support the 10pm closing time for off-licence
premises.
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Research shows people are likely to consume higher quantities and drink more frequently in areas where alcohol
outlets are open after 10pm, compared to areas where
the off-licence closes before 10pm.
Note:
Councillors Lew Findlay and Karen Naylor
declared a declaration of interest in the above submission.
Murray Cleghorn – Brew Union Brewing Co (61)
Murray Cleghorn spoke to his submission
and made the following comments:
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Acknowledged the work on-licences were doing
in educating the public on responsible drinking.
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Offering a selection of low/non-alcohol
beverages important as an alternative.
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Concerned the proposed reduction in trading
hours would lead to a loss of nightlife vibrancy, particularly for conference
centres.
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Police need to enforce the alcohol bylaw
(which prohibits drinking on the street) in the city centre. This would also
stop side-loading (people drinking in their cars).
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Great opportunity for central govt to review
the problem of low alcohol pricing in causing excessive alcohol consumption.
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Council would more likely reduce the harm of
excessive drinking by encouraging the police to have a greater presence on
the streets at night and by improving signage.
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The Police needs to share the data from the
2017 trial with Council.
The meeting
adjourned at 2.53pm.
The meeting
resumed at 3.12pm.
Gary Wright – The Fish Bar Ltd and Bubbles Bar
(69 & 70)
Chris Hince – spoke on behalf of
Gary Wright’s submission. He made the following comments:
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Regarding the Police initiated, 2017
early closing trial:
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It led to a significant income reduction which
caused part of the business to contract.
·
Palmerston North doesn’t have the
infrastructure/ taxis available to cater for a large volume of people to
leave all at once. This lead to violence and safety issues as people
had to wait for taxis.
·
Police assured bar owners that patrons would
change their habits and come earlier to town and spend more. This
didn’t happen, patrons arrived at the normal time.
·
Individual bars collected data from the trial,
no data was shared with bar-owners from the Police.
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The current 3am closing time allows
patrons to head home between 1.30 and 3am, enabling the current transport infrastructure
to keep up with demand.
Julian Clark –George Hospitality Group (35)
Julian Clark spoke to his submission and
made the following comments:
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Many people who preload and then come into
town don’t get into the bars, as they are considered too drunk at the
door or are forced to leave. They are therefore left on the streets to
cause problems.
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Closing early takes money out of the pocket of
hospitality workers.
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The 2017 trial, encouraged everyone to drink
till 2am and then everyone was kicked out (600+) at one time.
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We have a one-way door policy from 2.30am, it
encourages people to either filter out slowly or stay in the bar.
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From 2am-3am most people start to leave bars
and go home.
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The Red Flag Team are extremely useful at
sobering people up and helping them get home safely.
Amanda Linsley - Manawatū Chamber of Commerce (48)
Amanda Linsley spoke to the submission
from the Manawatu Chamber of Commerce, she made the following comments:
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Support the purpose of Local Alcohol Policy,
we need a safe community with a vibrant city centre.
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Reducing trading hours will not reduce alcohol
consumption, as the problem is pre-loading.
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The proposal (midnight closing) seriously
disadvantages the out-of-town bars.
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Conference centres won’t be as
competitive if they are forced to close earlier.
Adam Parker – Hospitality New Zealand Palmerston
North (46)
A presentation was tabled at the meeting
for circulation to Elected Members.
Adam Parker spoke to the submission from
Hospitality NZ, he made the following comments:
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There is a lack of data to suggest there is substantial
alcohol related harm in Palmerston North. More data is needed to support any
policy change.
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The proposed policy will influence event
venues if they can’t provide alcohol after midnight.
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A recent study on preloading suggested that
most people get drunk to have fun. Restriction on trading hours
not going to stop pre-loading.
Councillor Findlay left the
meeting at 3.48pm.
Nathan Cowie – Alcohol Healthwatch Trust (52)
Nathan Cowie spoke to the submission from
Alcohol Healthwatch and made the following comments:
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Support minimum unit pricing for alcohol. As
prices in off-licences are too low, e.g. as low as 68c per standard drink.
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In terms of the policy:
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Strongly support the proposed trading hour
reductions, 1am closing in city centre would reduce harm further.
·
Would recommend a sensitive sites protection
eg no alcohol outlets 100m from schools.
·
Would support further controls on new outlets
and a cap on new licences.
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Support review after 2 years.
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Recommend the Council looks at the Cardiff, UK
approach, which encourages shared co-ordination between council and police.
Patrick Handcock – Palmerston North Safety
Advisory Board (63)
A presentation was tabled at the meeting
for circulation to Elected Members.
Cllr Patrick Handcock spoke to the
submission of the Safety Advisory Board, he made the following comments:
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Support the proposed changes to trading hours
and the review of policy in 2 years.
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It will be a challenge for conference centres
to survive, exemptions to the policy could be considered on a case by case
basis. If businesses can prove a relevant reason for an exemption.
Bernice Adlam – The Palmy BID (47)
Bernice Adlam spoke to the submission
from the Palmy BID, she made the following comments:
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The Council is seen as biased as the proposed
changes will favour the City Council’s Convention Centre (located in
the city centre – 2am closing) over others venues in the city (proposed
midnight closing).
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Policy changes will have a detrimental
financial effect on the city’s hospitality industry.
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We support leaving the trading hours as they
are and reviewing them in
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two years.
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Preloading is the problem and should be
addressed through educational programmes similar to the anti-smoking campaign
in schools. To teach young people about the dangers of pre-loading.
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Support a minimum unit price for alcohol.
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BID Palmy would like to work with the Council
to improve this policy.
Ricky Quirk - George Hospitality Group (42)
Ricky Quirk spoke to his submission and
made the following comments:
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Spoke about the 2017 trial:
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Fair bit of pressure to participate.
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11.30pm to midnight, influx of people in bars and then forced
to close at 2am.
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The reduced trading hours made people behave worse.
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Everyone on streets at same time led to chaos from the first
Saturday. Over the six months, things didn’t improve, people pretty
upset. Out-of-towners were confused the bars were shutting early.
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Don’t need a mandatory one-way door policy as bars are
doing it already.
Tim Adlam – The Speights Ale House Palmerston
North (54)
Tim Adlam spoke to his submission and
made the following comments:
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The Speights Ale House already closes at 2am
so proposal won’t affect it. However would like to have the option of a
temporary licence for big events.
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Suggested trailing a 4am or 5am closing time
as the natural attrition rate would make the streets safer. There would be fewer
people on the street to cause problems. The later bars stay open the easier
it is to close.
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Bars can’t stop people pre-loading but
we get blamed for it.
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The proposed midnight closing of conference
centres is going to impact everyone.
Colleen Maxwell – Masonic Hotel (71)
Colleen Maxwell spoke to her submission and
made the following comment:
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Supports the current 3am closing time, the 2am
trial caused a lot of problems. Due to the lack of infrastructure - patrons
were faced with long waits for taxis.
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