Whanganui's local alcohol policy will remain unchanged and councillors are hopeful that a review of national legislation will close current loopholes.
Photo / 123RF
Whanganui's local alcohol policy will remain unchanged and councillors are hopeful that a review of national legislation will close current loopholes.
Photo / 123RF
Whanganui's local alcohol policy will continue in its current form with an off-licence cap of 14 despite an extra licence being granted this year.
Whanganui District Council's strategy and finance committee voted this week in favour of a recommendation by council officers that the policy is retained in its currentform.
Council senior policy analyst Justin Walters presented the recent LAP review to the committee and said although the recent decision by the District Licencing Committee (DLC) decision to grant the 15th licence over-rode the LAP it did not diminish the overall integrity of it.
Walters said the cost of undertaking a full review of the LAP to make only minor changes to the cap outweighed the potential benefits.
Councillor Josh Chandulal-Mackay asked Walters about the potential risks of a full review.
"If we were to review a particular provision within the LAP, am I right in thinking that the entire policy would have to be put out for consultation again and that would potentially invite objections from the alcohol industry as it did when we first adopted it?" He asked.
"That is my understanding," Walters said.
Councillor Josh Chandulal-Mackay sought clarification on the disadvantages of an alcohol policy review.
Photo / Bevan Conley
In May this year, councillors backed a delegation of Safer Whanganui coalition members in signing a letter to Justice Minister Kris Faafoi asking that local alcohol policies be given more teeth, so they could be enforced like any other bylaw.
Faafoi responded that he supports the view alcohol legislation in New Zealand should be fit for purpose and is considering a review of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
In a letter that was tabled at the committee meeting, Faafoi wrote he expected a review would commence "later this Parliamentary term".
Councillor Kate Joblin, who is the Safer Whanganui chairwoman, said it was an encouraging response and a review of the national legislation would strengthen the effectiveness of the local policy.
Councillor Philippa Baker-Hogan voted against the motion to retain the LAP in its current form, saying it has proved to be ineffective.
