Monday 7 October 2013

Local Alcohol Policy deliberations concluded

The Committee reviewing the Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) has wrapped up its deliberations on the draft LAP.

The Committee has recommended that the incoming Christchurch City Council publicly notify the provisional LAP sometime after 18 December 2013 as allowed under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. It has also recommended that the new Council:
• review the LAP within two years to consider location and density controls for new off licensed premises, the size and footprint of the area in the central city where later night opening is permitted in the light of the rebuild and the creation of rewards based incentives for best practice licensees
• consider bylaws or regulations to further minimise alcohol related harm
• undertake an alcohol strategy as a wider means of minimising alcohol related harm and;
• ask central government to consider making it an offence to be drunk in a public place and to review policy proposals such as minimum pricing of alcohol.

If the incoming Council decides to notify the provisional LAP, anyone who made a submission on the draft policy will have 30 days to make an appeal directly to the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority if they believe the policy to be unreasonable in the light of the purpose of the Act.

Councillor Sue Wells, who chaired the Committee deliberations on the LAP, says, "This has been a tough, much debated policy, attracting thousands of submissions. Deliberations have been thorough and vigorous. Christchurch's unique post quake situation made it especially challenging and there were no quick or easy answers."

Following resolution of any appeals, the policy will take effect three months after the date chosen by the Council.

- ends -

© Scoop Media