Summer event organisers must plan ahead to meet new drinking rules

Summer event organisers should plan ahead so they don’t get caught out by changes to alcohol legislation that come into effect next month, says Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) President, Lawrence Yule.

LGNZ has been working closely with local councils and agencies including Police, Justice and the Health Protection Agency to introduce the changes which aim to improve New Zealand’s drinking culture and reduce the harm caused by excessive drinking.

Under the new legislation, from 18 December all applications for special licences to sell or serve alcohol must be made at least 20 working days before an event is held.

Given that no days between 20 December to 15 January are considered “working days,” that means events planned for mid-February 2014 or earlier, must be lodged by 18 December.

“There’s a real risk that community groups or businesses planning to hold events over summer could miss out on getting their licence if they don’t plan ahead,” said Mr Yule.
“In the past, issuing special licences for one-off events could be left much later. That was allowed under the old Sale of Liquor Act. But now, groups applying for special licences over the summer period have to be well prepared.”
Special licences can cover one-off or short duration events and sometimes larger events such as wine and food festivals.

“It’s easy to get it right – but people wanting to sell or supply alcohol over the Christmas period and into February need to know the rules and be prepared.”

The only exception to the 20 working day requirement will be where the event could not have been reasonably foreseen (such as funerals). In those cases, the District Licensing Committee may decide to consider the application in a shorter timeframe. Licences issued before 18 December for events after this date will still be valid.

Event organisers are urged to:
• Think ahead to any events you have coming up over Christmas and New Year into early February 2014.
• Contact your local council to and ask for an application form. In most cases, you will be able to put more than one event on an application form, provided you are able to supply all relevant information.
• Find out from your local council exactly what information they need and confirm the fee they will charge for the application.
The new rules also change some of the requirements for special licences. This includes new fee rates for special licences, and for particular requirements to be imposed on some larger events. For example, events may require a security plan or a plan to address public health concerns.

Under the new legislation there will also be further consideration of some criteria, such as how the event will affect the good order and amenity of an area, and local alcohol policy that is in place.

Information about special licences is available on the Ministry of Justice website at http://www.justice.govt.nz/policy/sale-and-supply-of-alcohol/licensing/applying-for-a-licence/special-licences
General information on the new Act can be found at http://www.justice.govt.nz/policy/sale-and-supply-of-alcohol.

*ENDS*

© Scoop Media