Editorial: Local wishes ignored

Councillor Steve Morris does not want to see any more liquor outlets in the Bay of Plenty.

Councillor Steve Morris has once again taken aim at a council decision to remove a cap on the number of liquor outlets in the city.

A shared alcohol policy between Tauranga City Council and the Western Bay District Council was first adopted in November 2013, which capped the number of off-licences in the region and limited where new stores could be opened.

The policy was appealed by supermarket chains Progressive Enterprises and Foodstuffs North Island Limited as well as Liquorland and Super Liquor Holdings. The cap was removed from the policy in September 2014 by mutual agreement from both councils, avoiding a court hearing.

The issue came up again last week when it was revealed some city residents were fighting plans for an off-licence liquor store in central Tauranga. They say the number of alcohol outlets in the area has already reached saturation point.

HB Enterprises has applied to open an off-licence alcohol store next to the Mad Butcher in 11th Ave. Within a one kilometre radius people can get alcohol from at least 10 premises, including restaurants.

The following day, Cr Morris criticised the council's decision to remove the cap.

The previous council had received more than 1000 submissions on the issue and the majority favoured introducing a cap. The council ignored this because of fear of litigation, he says.

Mayor Stuart Crosby defends the decision, saying the council took a pragmatic approach. The change allows for new off-licences in new urban areas, which sounds reasonable.

It is important to remember that we live in a free market. If there is little demand from consumers, or if there is an oversupply, then businesses will struggle to stay open. If too many bottle shops are concentrated in a particular area then it is unlikely they will survive.

That being said, a high concentration of similar businesses encourages competition which, as Cr Morris notes, could result in cheaper deals for alcohol and this is likely to come at a social cost to the community.

Regardless, the council has a responsibility to reflect the wishes of the community and it appears by the submissions on the issue the community did want a cap on the number of liquor outlets in our city.