Council to withdraw flawed draft liquor policy

Aaron Bhatnagar, Chairman of City Development Committee at Auckland City Council, has announced he will hold a special committee meeting to withdraw the draft liquor policy out for discussion. This was after increasing concerns the council officers’ draft policy was fatally flawed and would hurt many businesses with restrictive rules, and impact on the rights of citizens to socialize locally.

“I have made a judgment call with Mayor Banks and Deputy Mayor Hay the council officers’ draft policy was fatally flawed in its present form, and causing much grief to those affected, for it to proceed through to formal hearings. I have therefore instructed the CEO to hold a special City Development committee meeting in early October to rescind the officers’ draft policy”, said Cr Bhatnagar.

Cr Bhatnagar will confirm this at a hospitality industry meeting at Sky City Conference Centre on Monday morning.

“Council also recognizes the formal hearings process would have cost time and money, so withdrawing the policy now is prudent”, said Cr Bhatnagar.

A special City Development Committee meeting is anticipated for early October, where the officer proposals will be formally rescinded.

ENDS

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