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Liquor Licensing Accord adopted

Friday 27 May 2011, 8:46AM

By Southland District Council

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INVERCARGILL

Southland District Council has adopted the Southland District Liquor Licensing Accord concerning the hours of trading for hotels and taverns.

The proposed accord stems from an agreement made between Council, the Police, Public Health South and the industry representative, the Hospitality Association of New Zealand, to establish widely agreed hours of trading that apply consistently and fairly to all hotels and taverns in the District.

Hours of trading later than 1am for across the bar off-sales and after 3am for consumption on premises are controlled by the accord. Licensees are required to give the police at least 24 hours notice if they intend to operate beyond these hours.

In reality, most licensed premises in Southland do not operate past this time in any case but the notification system will enable greater control if a licensee chooses to serve alcohol past 3am on a specific date.

"There is an increasing pressure for closer scrutiny on trading hours," Group Manager Environment and Community Bruce Halligan said at the Council meeting on Stewart Island last week.

The current Southland District Licensing Agency Liquor Policy permits 24-hour licensing provided the District Plan is complied with. However, the Alcohol Reform Bill as currently drafted will prohibit 24-hour licensing.

The accord shall take effect from 15 June 2011, which will control the hours of trading alcohol and satisfy industry demand before the Alcohol Reform Bill becomes law.

"The progress on the accord to date has been greatly assisted by a positive response from the Hospitality Association of New Zealand and their local representatives," Mr Halligan said.

Council chief executive David Adamson said the accord was "a very good compromise for addressing police concerns, public concerns and hoteliers' concerns".