5 September 2023
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: New alcohol laws
Enquiry
I am working on a story about the new alcohol laws which are said to reduce alcohol harm in the communities. The laws will remove the ability for parties to appeal provisional local alcohol policies, and eliminate cross-examination at alcohol licensing hearings. It also allows any person or group to object to a licence application.
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/huge-win-communities-passing-new-alcohol-laws
- As stated in the release, did the council also have difficulty adopting and applying local alcohol policies due to constant appeals by those representing the alcohol industry?
- How will this new law impact the local alcohol policies here at the council?
- What is your stance on the new law? Will it improve alcohol harm in our community?
- How will it impact the processes around an application? How will this look different from previously?
Any other comments are welcome
Response
From Group Manager Community and District Development Jean-Paul Gaston:
RE: did the council have difficulty adopting and applying local alcohol policies due to constant appeals by those representing the alcohol industry?
Rotorua Lakes Council’s finalised Local Alcohol Policy was adopted in 2019 following a six-year process that included working with stakeholders to develop a draft LAP, public consultation and 5 appeals. Work on our LAP was put on hold in 2014 pending the outcomes of appeals in other cities so that these could be taken into consideration and work on the LAP then resumed in early 2015.
RE: How will this new law impact the local alcohol policies here at the council?
Future provisional LAPs should be quicker and easier to implement and will likely more accurately reflect community views.
RE: How will it impact the processes around an application? How will this look different from previously?
Changes to the legislation will have some effect on the detail/information required in an alcohol licence application and this will need to be incorporated into current processes.
RE: Any other comments are welcome.
*NOTES TO REPORTER:
re RLC’s “stance” on the new law and whether it will improve alcohol harm in our community, this is not a question for the council organisation which has an administrative and regulatory role with regards to liquor licensing and LAPs.
This would be better put to community organisations and/or agencies that deal with alcohol harm.
You may also wish to speak to the chair of the District Licensing Committee, Karen Hunt. For your understanding, district licensing committees make decisions about liquor licence applications, councils provide administrative and regulatory support. Mrs Hunt is happy to speak with you and can be contacted on [number provided].