Council Adopts Local Alcohol Policy

Franklin District Council’s first comprehensive local alcohol policy has been adopted.

The policy has been developed to provide a framework for consistent liquor licensing decision-making and to establish responsible drinking practices within the district.

Franklin District Council GM Strategic Cathy Kenkel says, “The new policy sets consistent hours of operation for specific types of licenced premises. It also encourages the development of voluntary agreements between licensees, Franklin District Council and Police to adopt responsible alcohol sale and consumption practices.”

Council developed the policy following the adoption of the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy in February 2009. The Strategy required Council to develop a Liquor Licensing Policy to assist with its objective of reducing alcohol-related harm in the District.
The Policy provides licensees with guidelines regarding Council, District Licensing Agency and community expectations on the sale of alcohol in the district. It includes comprehensive Host Responsibility requirements and seeks to develop partnerships with relevant organisations, such as Police and the Medical Officer of Health.

The Policy was developed with input from focus group meetings on alcohol-related issues, submissions from the public and national industry organisations during consultation and the consideration of national and international research.

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