23 March 2005

Refinements made to city's draft alcohol strategy

Further refinements made to Auckland City's draft alcohol strategy Auckland City’s Public Safety and Community Order Committee today approved further amendments to the draft alcohol strategy which clarify closing times and locations of licensed premises.

The strategy aims to help reduce alcohol-related harm and ensure consistency in all council policies relating to alcohol.

The amendments to the strategy follow an earlier request from the committee to further refine some points in the strategy before it goes to the full council on 31 March for consideration.

One of the amendments, a more comprehensive definition of the term 'entertainment venue' (please see Note to Editors for definition), will make a clear distinction between tavern and entertainment licensed premises. This will now allow licensing officers to apply stricter controls to licensing: tavern-licensed premises in the CBD which do not fit under the definition of an entertainment venue will only be able to apply for a 3am license, rather than a 24/7 one. The licensee may apply to extend these hours after one year if certain conditions are met if complaints are received and proven in relation to the extended hours, the District Licensing Agency will be able to recommend to the Liquor Licensing Authority that the liquor license operating hours revert to 3am.

The strategy will also include a buffer zone to prohibit licensed venues operating within 100m of schools or sensitive activities such as churches, halfway houses, detox or rehabilitation centres. If the strategy is passed by council, this would need to go through a formal District Plan change process.

If council passes the recommendation to adopt the alcohol strategy, copies will be able to be obtained from 5 April by calling Auckland City on (09) 379 2020 or visiting the council’s website www.aucklandcity.govt.nz.

ENDS

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