Record number of objections to Newtown bottle store

Friday 27 January

The Newtown community has shown its opposition in record numbers, to a bottle store planned to open opposite Newtown School.

The Wellington District Licensing Agency received 110 objections to the liquor license application from “Vee’s Liquor Planet Ltd”, the most objections ever received within the Wellington City Council boundary. A petition of 676 signatures was also presented to the agency by representatives of the community yesterday.

“Vee’s Liquor Planet Ltd” would be directly visible from the classrooms and the school playground, and open while kids walked home after school. Newtown Community Centre co-ordinator Anna Costley says there has been a strong community response since the store published their application for a Liquor License in December.

“The community has really united around this issue. Everyone agrees, it’s unsafe and it’s unnecessary. We’re delighted that Newtown has made their voice heard so strongly.”

The Capital & Coast District Health Board have thrown their support behind the community’s opposition.
“The CCDHB deals directly with the effects of liquor misuse and abuse linked to this locality,” says Board Member Judith Aitken. “Liquor outlets so close to schools and early childhood centres do not provide a healthy social environment for children and young people.”

Southern Ward Councillor Paul Eagle joined representatives from Newtown School and the community to present the petition to the District Licensing Agency yesterday.
“It’s great to see such a fantastic response from the Newtown community, on what is such an important issue.”

The application will now be forwarded to the national Liquor Licensing Authority, and a public hearing to determine the outcome is expected to be held later this year.

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