Local Alcohol Policy proposed

Local Councils are now a step closer to having an Eastern Bay of Plenty Local Alcohol Policy. The Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki and Kawerau District Councils have been working collaboratively on the policy, which aims to reduce alcohol-related harm across the three districts while balancing the economic benefits of related activities throughout the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

The Provisional Local Alcohol Policy will be publicly notified on 24 February 2014 and provides for a 30-day period in which the Police, the Medical Officer of Health and anyone who made a submission to the original draft policy can lodge an appeal.

A feature of the Policy is the alignment of trading hours with the default national maximum set out in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. This would mean the maximum hours for off-licences would be 8am until 10pm in Kawerau, 7am until 10pm in Opōtiki, and 7am until 11pm in Whakatāne. The maximum hours for on-licences would be 9am until 1am in Kawerau and Opōtiki, and 8am until 2am in Whakatāne.

In addition, a one-way (exit only) door restriction would apply for all on-and club licences for the last hour before closing time (if licence hours extend after midnight), and mandatory host responsibility policies would be required for all on, off- and club licence premises.

The Policy will also guide the District Licensing Committee with regard to the issuing of on-, off- and club licences in close proximity to any sensitive locations, such as schools, childcare centres and playgrounds.

ENDS

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