Rotorua local alcohol policy a step closer

Adoption of local guidelines for the sale and supply of alcohol in Rotorua is another step closer after councillors approved amendments to its Provisional Local Alcohol Policy at a council meeting this week [Thursday 12 November].

The Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) will provide guidance for meeting the objectives of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 in the Rotorua community. The aim is to ensure the safe and responsible sale, supply and consumption of alcohol, and to minimise harm caused by excessive or inappropriate consumption.

The council previously determined that a draft local alcohol policy should be developed in collaboration with partner agencies, iwi, the hospitality industry and other stakeholders, and approved a draft policy to go out for public consultation in January 2014.

Councillors have now approved recommended amendments following consideration of submissions received, and hearings, by a working party, and final deliberations by the council. The working party also took into consideration issues raised in other districts and the outcomes of test cases appealing provisional local alcohol policies in other cities.

The approved provisional policy will be formally ‘notified’ on Monday [16 November] and people who made submissions to the previous draft Local Alcohol Policy have 30 days from Monday to appeal.

Only those people or organisations who made submissions on the draft policy can appeal an element of the provisional policy although there are strict rules on what can be appealed. Appeals are made to the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority in Wellington with copies sent to Rotorua Lakes Council.

The council has written to all submitters and provided them with a copy of the provisional policy and information about the rules for appeal.

The appeals process will determine the next steps. If there are no appeals the council will be in a position to adopt the policy. If there are appeals these will be heard by the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority, however no timeframe has been set for this process.

ENDS

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