23 March 2005
Refinements made to city's draft alcohol strategy
Further refinements made to Auckland City's draft alcohol strategy Auckland City’s Public Safety and Community Order
Committee today approved further amendments to the draft alcohol strategy which clarify closing times and locations of
licensed premises.
The strategy aims to help reduce alcohol-related harm and ensure consistency in all council policies relating to
alcohol.
The amendments to the strategy follow an earlier request from the committee to further refine some points in the
strategy before it goes to the full council on 31 March for consideration.
One of the amendments, a more comprehensive definition of the term 'entertainment venue' (please see Note to Editors for
definition), will make a clear distinction between tavern and entertainment licensed premises. This will now allow
licensing officers to apply stricter controls to licensing: tavern-licensed premises in the CBD which do not fit under
the definition of an entertainment venue will only be able to apply for a 3am license, rather than a 24/7 one. The
licensee may apply to extend these hours after one year if certain conditions are met if complaints are received and
proven in relation to the extended hours, the District Licensing Agency will be able to recommend to the Liquor
Licensing Authority that the liquor license operating hours revert to 3am.
The strategy will also include a buffer zone to prohibit licensed venues operating within 100m of schools or sensitive
activities such as churches, halfway houses, detox or rehabilitation centres. If the strategy is passed by council, this
would need to go through a formal District Plan change process.
If council passes the recommendation to adopt the alcohol strategy, copies will be able to be obtained from 5 April by
calling Auckland City on (09) 379 2020 or visiting the council’s website www.aucklandcity.govt.nz.
ENDS