9 November 2012
Survey gauges local views on alcohol
The Hutt Valley’s mayors are encouraging their communities to take part in a joint survey on alcohol use.
Hutt City Mayor Ray Wallace and Upper Hutt City Mayor Wayne Guppy say the month-long survey, which started today, asks
for people’s views on alcohol consumption, where liquor can be sold or is banned, and what impact they believe alcohol
has on society.
“Alcohol is something that affects most of us, regardless of whether we drink,” says Mayor Wallace. “We want to
understand what our communities think about issues such as liquor licensing, and this survey will help us do that,” adds
Mayor Guppy.
The survey is being run to ensure that both Councils are fully informed by their respective communities as they consider
the implications of the Alcohol Reform Bill, which is currently before Parliament.
The Bill aims to put in place a new system of control over the sale and supply of alcohol, and gives local authorities
powers to deal with local licensing matters. For the first time, local authorities will have the ability to determine
the number, location and hours of operation for licensed premises.
Mayors Guppy and Wallace are encouraging everyone to have their say. “This is a chance to gather community feedback
about alcohol issues, so the more people who take part in the survey the better.”
Police Area Commander for Hutt Valley, Inspector Mike Hill says the survey will help agencies like the Police that are
involved in reducing alcohol-related crime, liquor licensing activities, crime prevention and community safety.
“Information from this survey will enable us to make to make the community safer and will better represent the community
view when decisions are made on licensing applications.”
Go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/HVAlcoholSurvey to complete the survey, before 14 December. Hard copies will also be available at all libraries in the Hutt Valley.
ENDS