Waikato District Council has reviewed its Local Alcohol Policy and is proposing a number of changes. One of the changes would see the Council stopping any more bottle shops being opened in Raglan and other Waikato towns.
The policy sets alcohol licensing criteria for when, where and how alcohol is sold in the district. Licensing bodies must consider the policy when they make decisions about alcohol licensing applications.
Proposed changes to the policy include:
- Restrictions on the number of standalone bottle stores in some parts of the district;
- A new discretionary condition prohibiting off-licences from being able to offer ‘buy now pay later’ schemes has been added;
- A definition of ‘site’ has been included to avoid any confusion as to what constitutes a site;
- Additional clarity has been provided where there is a requirement for there to be a certain distance between a proposed licensed premises and an existing facility or other licensed premises;
- For special licences, the provision prohibiting a one way door condition applying earlier than two hours before the conclusion of the event has been removed; and
- Two new clauses on remote sales have been added including when alcohol can be bought online and delivered and who receives the delivery of alcohol.
There are three options for the future of the Local Alcohol Policy.
Option 1: Council retains the current Local Alcohol Policy
Option 2: Council adopts the draft Local Alcohol Policy
Option 3: Council revokes the Local Alcohol Policy
For more information on each option, the full Statement of Proposal can be downloaded from the WDC website.
Submissions can be made until 11th September at https://shape.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/local-alcohol-policy