Dunedin (Thursday, 25 October 2018) – New rules around the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol in Dunedin are expected to be in place early next year.

The Dunedin City Council was advised this week that the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA) has approved the Dunedin Local Alcohol Policy (LAP). At its meeting on Tuesday, the Council will consider a report which recommends the new policy comes into effect on 1 February.

The main changes will be reduced on-licence and off-licence hours and the introduction of a one-way door policy from 2.30am, meaning people can leave but no new patrons can enter the premises from that time.

Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull says, “This has been a long and involved process, but I’m pleased we finally have some certainty for alcohol licence holders and the community.

“The law requires LAPs to try to reduce alcohol-related harm, which is a major issue across the country. We had hoped to bring in strong local measures which would tackle this head on, but unfortunately some of our initiatives weren’t accepted. This policy will make a difference, but it would have been great if we could have gone further.”

The DCC draft LAP, which was released in 2014, attracted more than 4200 submissions. A range of submitters appealed some of the proposed changes and ARLA ruled in their favour. The DCC then submitted a revised LAP, which was signed off by parties who had previously appealed the proposed policy, and which has now been approved by ARLA.

Visit www.dunedin.govt.nz/lap to read the LAP.

SUMMARY TABLE OF LAP PROVISIONS

Subject Current Sale of Liquor Policy Adopted LAP
TRADING HOURS
On-licence in non-residential areas Monday to Sunday

8am to 4am the following day 1 Monday to Sunday

8am to 3am the following day
On-licence in non-residential areas: cafes and restaurants Not in policy Monday to Sunday

8am to 1am the following day
On-licence in non-residential areas: entertainment premises Not in policy Monday to Sunday

5pm to 4am the following day

Will require:

• Live entertainment

• Door charge

2.30am one-way door
On-licence in or adjacent to residential areas Sunday to Thursday

9am to 11pm

Friday and Saturday

9am to 12 midnight Sunday to Thursday

9am to 11pm

Friday and Saturday

9am to 12 midnight
On-licence in remote areas Not in policy Monday to Sunday

8am to 2am the following day
Off-licence premises Monday to Sunday

7am to 11pm 2 Monday to Sunday

7am to 10pm
Club licence premises Monday to Friday

8am to 12 midnight

Saturday and public holidays

8am to 1am the following day Sunday to Thursday

9am to 11pm

Friday and Saturday

9am to 12 midnight
Special licence At the discretion of the District Licensing Agency Unlicensed premises – end at 1am on day following start of event

Licensed premises – to maximum trading time

DLC has discretion to grant greater hours on case-by-case basis
OTHER MATTERS
LOCATION Regulated by the Resource Management Act and the Dunedin District Plan – limits new licences to the central activity and local activity zones No new hotels, taverns/pubs or bottle stores within 100m of any sensitive area
ONE-WAY DOOR Not in policy One-way door from 2.30am
MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY Not in policy On and club licensed premises to display maximum occupancy beside licence

NB: The current Sale of Liquor Policy is still used as a guide. “Not in policy” indicates there is no reference to this element in the Sale of Liquor Policy.

1 These hours are the default maximum hours for on-licensed premises set in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

2 These hours are the default maximum hours for off-licensed premises set in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

ends

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