Licencing statistics/activity
The government’s recent announcement on alcohol reform is likely to have an impact on the number of licenced premises in local communities.
These proposed changes follow a report from the Law Commission back in April when it made 153 recommendations by which to reduce harm caused by alcohol. Recommendations included making alcohol more expensive, changes to licensing hours and raising the purchasing age and providing the opportunity for communities to influence local decisions.
The report also highlighted issues that have also been raised more recently around the public nuisance aspect of liquor. An example of this is the news stories out of South Auckland where the number of on-licence and off-licence liquor outlets in Manukau City has markedly increased. The local community has voiced concern about the effects increased access to alcohol is having on the community in general and in particular, on our youth culture and its contribution to binge drinking.
Restricting trading hours and giving local residents the ability to influence the number, density, locality and hours of trade that apply to liquor outlets are some of the changes that have been welcomed. Communities are likely to see this as positive, but it will have an impact on some businesses that rely on their off-licence for sales.
There are currently 682 liquor licenses in force within Central Auckland, approximately 500 on the North Shore, 340 in Manukau and 97 in Waitakere, which include on, off and club licenses. While these numbers remain relatively steady year on year, they are likely to decrease in areas where local councils adopt a local alcohol plan designed to reduce licenced premises. Local communities will be able to object to the issue or renewal of licences on the basis of density, locality, hours of trade, store types and suitability. For those councils that don’t choose to develop their own alcohol plan the law will act as a sort of default position.
The reforms suggested by the Law Commission are a starting point for the government to consider as the bill proceeds to the select committee. It will be interesting to see how the debate continues and how the final content of the legislation is likely to affect many business that depend on their off-licence approval.
