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Local Alcohol Policy finalised, community concerns addressed
HUTT CITY COUNCIL NEWS RELEASE
27 MAY 2016
Local Alcohol Policy finalised, community concerns
addressed
A Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) for Lower Hutt was finalised at a meeting of Council on 24 May. The LAP sets opening hours for on-and off-license premises across Lower Hutt.
Council has also proposed an amendment to the LAP. The amendment will consider the tools available to councils under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 to restrict licenses across the city.
Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace says, “Since this Local Alcohol Policy was drafted in 2013, attitudes in the community may have changed. For example, the consensus during the first consultation was that restricting the number of licenses may hinder development in an area.
“We are taking on board concerns voiced by the community and setting out an amendment for review - this is the swiftest way to consider these aspects of the policy. Rejecting the Local Alcohol Policy would have meant going right back to the beginning of the process. This amendment approach gets the surety of hours across Lower Hutt and provides for a much more focussed review.
“We need to ensure that this Local Alcohol Policy is the best tool for achieving the outcomes we want for our communities. We also need to be sure we are acting within the law, particularly with regards to restrictions on certain types of licenses and options such as a restriction on the number of licenses in an area.”
Council officers have been directed to consult the community and report back those findings and other evidence with appropriate recommendations to Council.
Under the LAP, on-licenses in the Lower Hutt CBD and part of Jackson Street in Petone will be allowed to open from 7am to 3am the following day and on-licenses that are outside these areas from 7am to 1am the following day. All off-licenses will be allowed to sell between 7am and 10pm.
The LAP will come into effect from 1 September, this allows for a three month period from when public notice of the finalised LAP is given.
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