Newtown community says NO to more cheap liquor
Thursday 13 December
Media release from Newtown Community & Cultural Centre
The Newtown community has made another record number of oppositions to a proposed bottle store in Newtown.

The Wellington District Licensing Agency received 105 objections to the liquor license application for “Newtown Liquor Shop”, proposed to open on Newtown Avenue. They were made by Newtown community groups, schools, health care practitioners and community members.

It is the second largest number of objections ever received within the Wellington City Council boundary. The record was set by the Newtown community earlier this year, after they lodged 110 objections against a similar bottle store in Newtown. That applicant withdrew his application following the community outcry.

“Newtown Liquor Shop” would be open from 9am to 11pm, 7 days a week. The proposed store is within 100m of two existing off-license liquor outlets, and is in close proximity to three public playgrounds. It would be the fifth off-license bottle store in Newtown.

Newtown Community Centre co-ordinator Anna Costley says there has been significant concern since the store published their application for a liquor license two weeks ago.

“There hasn’t been much time to act, but the community has really rallied around this issue, at what is already a busy time of year.”

“The community have made their voice clear,” Ms Costley says. “We don’t want or need another bottle store.”

The Capital & Coast District Health Board was among those who formally objected to the proposed store.

“The CCDHB deals directly with the effects of liquor misuse and abuse linked to this locality,” says Board Member Judith Aitken. “The harm caused by drinking too much doesn’t just last for an hour or so. For many people it lasts for years and ruins relationships.”

Southern Ward Councillor Paul Eagle said the changes to the Sale of Liquor Act can’t come fast enough. “Next year, the community will have a much stronger say in managing the supply and consumption of alcohol in Newtown. They have clearly said time and time again that cheap liquor stores are not welcome in this part of town.”

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 in 2013.
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