Sports star tackles booze shop

Rachel Colley is overwhelmed by support. Photo / Doug Sherring

Former Kiwi and Warriors rugby league forward Logan Swann is lining up against a liquor store trying to set up in his neighbourhood.

Swann is among 1215 people who have petitioned against the planned Super Liquor franchise in the Auckland suburb of Glen Innes.

Swann, 35, who has lived in the area for most of his life, said he feared the planned liquor store on West Tamaki Rd would fuel "alcohol-related crimes and add to a growing and irresponsible drinking culture".

"The implications for the neighbourhood could be huge. It's surrounded by schools and kids would be going past it every day," he said.

The petitioners also come from the bordering affluent suburbs of Glendowie and St Heliers and include 28 official letters of objection.

A Liquor Licensing Authority hearing will be held in February to determine if the store would go ahead.

Lawyer and Glen Innes resident Rachel Colley, who along with her husband James Elliott have co-ordinated the opposition against the liquor store, said she was overwhelmed by the support.

"It has brought the community - irrespective of ethnicity, politics and pay packet - together," said Colley.

She said a major reason for their objection to the store was it would be close to a number of schools including Sacred Heart College, Glendowie College, Glen Taylor School, Glenbrae School and Tamaki College. There were also several reserves and an alleyway nearby which could be used to "facilitate underage drinking".

They can only fight the proposal on restricted grounds including the 9am-11pm proposed opening hours - not on how many other liquor outlets are in the surrounding area.

There are several liquor stores within a kilometre radius of the area.

Tamaki College social worker Barbara Te Kare said she objected over worries it could "normalise" alcohol to lots of students.

The businessman behind the proposed Glen Innes store, PJ Goel, said it would be up to the Liquor Licensing Authority to ultimately "judge" whether he could set up shop.

He has been surprised by the level of opposition. "If there are valid objections and if the community thinks it's a hazard then we won't go ahead."