Anger mounts over off-licence plan

There was standing room only at a public meeting at the Onerahi Community Hall on Wednesday about a proposed fourth off-licence alcohol provider. Photo / Jessica Roden

More than 200 frustrated and angry Onerahi residents have gathered to show their opposition to a proposed fourth off-licence in the suburb and say they will protest if it gets the thumbs up.

The Whangarei District Council received 570 objections to the Onerahi Liquor Centre, proposed by businessman Edward Jones, though just 362 were considered valid as only those living within 2km of the proposed store were allowed under law.

However, many residents said they would have submitted objections but did not know about the proposal in time, when more than 200 attended a meeting at Onerahi on Wednesday night.

When contacted yesterday, Mr Jones declined to comment. He has leased the old ASB Bank building on the corner of the Onerahi shopping centre for the liquor store.

Residents at the meeting were largely concerned about the effect another alcohol store would have on youth, an opinion echoed by local police, who supported the objections. The final decision will be made by the Whangarei District Licensing Committee at a meeting between November 10-11 at Toll Stadium.

The chairwoman of the Onerahi Resource Centre Trust, Agnes Hermans, said a petition was being circulated and a community march was being discussed, including possible picketing of the proposed store if given consent. "I don't think they are going to take this lying down," Ms Hermans said.

The health promotion co-ordinator for Manaia Primary Health Organisation, Ngaire Rae, facilitated the meeting and made her position clear from the outset.

"We probably need to tell you upfront that, to keep our community healthy and well, we don't need another alcohol outlet," Ms Rae said, to a round of loud applause.

Only 12 submitters indicated they would like to speak at the DLC meeting, and Ms Rae encouraged more submitters to put their hands up to be heard.

The medical officer of health for the Northland District Health Board, Clair Mills, indicated if the proposed store went ahead she would appeal the council's decision. In Onerahi, there are three off-licences, at Super Liquor, New World and the Onerahi Tavern.

The group manager for district living at Whangarei District Council, Paul Dell, bore the brunt of many residents' frustration but said the council had to follow due process.