Record numbers of objectors say no to new liquor outlet

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MEDIA RELEASE – 8/2/12

Record numbers of objectors say no to new liquor outlet application

A liquor licence application to run a new Foodstuff’s branded Henry’s bottle store in Ilam/Avonhead was met with unprecedented numbers of objectors at a Liquor Licensing Hearing in Christchurch today.

“There are normally only one or two objectors at Liquor Licensing Hearings”, said Jane Tyler-Gordon, chairman of the Ilam & Upper Riccarton Residents’ Association, “but today there were about 30 different speakers voicing objections, accompanied by about 250 people attending at least some of the Hearing today at the St Mark’s Complex”.

Speakers included parents of children at the nearby kindergarten and primary school, university staff, doctors, the principals of Villa Maria College, Riccarton High School and Middleton Grange School, the chairmen of both the Ilam & Upper Riccarton and Wigram/Avonhead Residents’ Associations, representatives of the New Zealand Council of Women and other organisations, and others who would describe themselves as “ordinary members of the community”.

“Virtually all the speakers stated that liquor abuse already exists in the area and would only be exacerbated by yet another liquor outlet”, she said.

“It was an extraordinary turnout from the community when you consider that it was a Wednesday and many people have work and other personal commitments.”

Unfortunately the Hon Gerry Brownlee the MP for Ilam, on the edge of whose electorate this proposed new outlet is positioned was unable to be present though his local secretary was present.

His written objection concludes: “I therefore wish to convey my opposition for this proposal and hope in this case the views of local residents will be listened to. The application should be declined.”

Unfortunately many of the speakers felt they weren’t fully listened to but Judge Hole explained at the conclusion that normally a day’s hearing would have eight witnesses giving evidence and there were over three times that number on this occasion. He gave reassurance that all written submissions would be carefully read and said his decision would therefore be delayed, perhaps up to a month.

“Although the Sale of Liquor Act is so biased towards the alcohol industry that it is virtually impossible for a community to overturn a liquor licence application like this, the Authority has been empowered by High Court appeal judgements to take a fresh and progressive stance on curbing liquor abuse where it can”, added Professor Doug Sellman, who is a local resident and one of the objectors today.

“A recently publicised Health Sponsorship Council survey of public attitudes to alcohol shows that only 2% of New Zealanders think there are too few liquor outlets. It is probably more like 1% in the Ilam/Avonhead area judging by the extraordinary response from the community today”, he added.