Tuesday 18 June 2013

Good number of submissions received on draft Local Alcohol Policy so far

A total of 293 submissions on the draft Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) have already been received by the Christchurch City Council, as of midday today.

Consultation on the draft policy - a provision of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 - has just under two weeks left to run and the Council is keen to hear feedback from as many people in the community as possible. The draft LAP aims to minimise alcohol related harm in the city and ensure the sale and supply of alcohol is undertaken safely and responsibly.

Mayor Bob Parker says the response so far has been encouraging and shows the community want to shape the future of alcohol-related matters in Christchurch and have their views heard.

"We are pleased with the number of submissions received so far and would encourage more to come in. This feedback will be critical in letting the Council know what the wider community thinks about what is proposed and if there needs to be any changes made."

He says there has also been a lot of comment about the draft LAP on social media, but it is only submissions received by the Council that can influence the final policy.

Provisions in the draft include:

* A closing time of 3am in the Central City Entertainment Precincts (excluding Victoria Street) for taverns, bars, pubs, night-clubs and clubs, with a one-way door policy from 1am. * A closing time of 1am elsewhere in the Central City (including Victoria Street) for taverns, bars, pubs, night-clubs and clubs, with a discretionary one-way door policy where appropriate. * A closing time of 1am in suburban centres in the city for taverns, bars, pubs, night-clubs and clubs, with a discretionary one-way door policy where appropriate. * Maximum trading hours for selling alcohol of 9am until 9pm for all off-licences in Christchurch. * Restrictions on the location of new bottle stores and taverns to business zones. * Maximum trading hours of 8am until 1am for restaurants and cafes throughout the city.

Consultation on the draft LAP will close at 5pm on Monday 1 July 2013.

A whole of Council committee, chaired by Councillor Sue Wells, will hear and consider submissions, then deliberate and decide on the draft LAP during July and August 2013. The provisional LAP will then be publicly notified in early 2014 and open to appeals. Final adoption of a LAP is not likely to be until mid to late 2014, depending on the length of the appeal process.

A submission form and project information can be found online at www.ccc.govt.nz/HaveYourSay or at any open Council library or service centre.

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