The sale of alcohol in Auckland city is set to be impacted by a raft of proposed changes by the council, limiting operating times and freezing new off-licence applications.
Auckland hospitality businesses could be imposed with stricter rules for selling alcohol before Christmas. The proposed policy on the sale of alcohol could be in effect by the end of the year, limiting the time frame that alcohol can be sold and the opening of new outlets.
As per the new regulations, restaurants, bars and other off-licences cannot sell liquor after 4am in the central city area, and 3am elsewhere. Supermarkets and bottle stores won't be able to sell alcohol after 9pm.
A freeze on new off-licences in some town centres, specifically in South Auckland, is expected to have a positive impact on local areas.
Of the 23 proposed suburbs, 13 are located in South Auckland, including Manukau, Pukekohe, and Takanini. The list is made up of a further 10 suburbs, including Avondale, Mt Wellington, and Glen Eden.
Overall, the policy has the purpose of introducing stricter restrictions on the sale of alcohol for the the city centre and town centres in areas with the highest alcohol-related incidents and crime.
The policy was finally approved by the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Committee following a lengthy legal battle.
Policymakers said that over the past five to six years, there had been a strong community resistance to new off-licenses, with several having been turned down.
This is the first policy of its kind to be introduced, as there has never been a freeze for new off-license applications before.
Before it is implemented, the Auckland Council will need to issue public notice of the Local Alcohol Policy adoption, which will result in the governing body’s selection of a start date.
Changes to opening hours will come into effect at least three months after the public has been notified, which will allow existing license holders to adjust to the new requirements. The council could enforce changes earlier should it decide to.
The governing body is set to meet in August.
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