11 November 2013

Apply early for summer event special liquor licences

Rotorua District Council (RDC) is warning local people who are organising summer events that require a special liquor licence to plan ahead and apply as soon as possible.

From 18 December, the process for getting a special licence will change when the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 comes fully into force.

RDC Regulatory Services manager, Neven Hill, said in the past people had left it late to apply for a special licence, which was allowed under the old Sale of Liquor Act.

“However under the government’s new law, all applications must be made at least 20 working days before the event is held, although exceptions can be made for unforeseen events such as funerals.

“In particular, applications for special licences for events planned for mid-February 2014 or earlier will need to be lodged by 18 December. That’s because under the new Act a 'working day' does not include weekends, statutory holidays or any day from 20 December and 15 January (inclusive).

“The council is encouraging residents to plan ahead and file applications in time to get liquor licences for summer events.”

Mr Hill said that from 18 December, applications will be decided by new district licensing committees (DLCs). Applications that are opposed will be decided at a full DLC hearing, while unopposed applications can be decided by the DLC chairperson.

“The district licensing committee must consider more new criteria when deciding whether to grant an application. These criteria include how the proposed event will impact on the good order and amenity of an area, any local alcohol policy in existence, and the design and layout of the area for the proposed event.

“Particular requirements may be imposed on large scale events, such as requiring a security plan or a plan to address public health concerns.”

The new fee regime for special licences can be found on the Ministry of Justice website www.justice.govt.nz, under the Policy Development section ‘Sale and supply of alcohol.’

ENDS

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