Councillors recommend 24-hour liquor licences

By RENEE KIRIONA

Innercity Auckland could become a never-ending party town under a new draft strategy designed to reduce alcohol-related harm.

In line with the Auckland City Council's vision of a "vibrant and dynamic 24/7 CBD," it is recommending that licensed venues in the central business district be allowed to operate 24 hours a day seven days a week.

The recommendation will increase the availability of alcohol in the city, but the chairperson of the city's law and order committee, councillor Noelene Raffills described the overall strategy as "proactive".

The council says the strategy has been balanced against the council's "vision for Auckland's CBD to become a vibrant, dynamic place that is filled with people both day and night".

Mrs Raffills said the recommendation on opening hours should not be seen as the council not taking concerns about noise seriously.

Should the strategy, which went out for public comment yesterday, be approved then licensed venues would have to ensure there were no recurring noise or behaviour issues. If this did occur the licence would revert to a closure of 1am for restaurants and 3am for bars and taverns.

The goal of the strategy was to create a "civic living environment in which alcohol-related activities can be enjoyed with minimal risk of harm". It recommended the council prohibit licensed venues operating within 100 metres of a primary, intermediate or secondary school, or within 100m of "sensitive" activities such as churches, halfway houses, detox or rehabilitation centres.

It would also prohibit alcohol sponsorship of events aimed at children and youth as well as advertising of alcohol products on council land.

However, there would be exceptions for recreational activities and games held on council reserves.

A number of external agencies contributed to the draft strategy, including the Hospitality Association of New Zealand, Alcohol Healthwatch, Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand and the police.

Call (09) 379 2020 or go to the council's website to get a copy of the draft strategy. Consultation closes on September 3.