Rugby club denied a new liquor licence
Security issues, burglaries and selling alcohol without a licence all went against a Waikato Rugby Club trying to obtain a liquor licence.
Police strongly opposed the alcohol licence application from the Kihikihi Rugby Club, just minutes from Te Awamutu, and the Waipa District Licensing Committee agreed.
In its written decision the committee noted both the police and licensing inspector opposed the licence application.
Police opposition centred around concerns the club was in a dilapidated state and there was a lack of suitable security on site.
These concerns were raised because of two recent burglaries of the unlicensed premises where alcohol targeted.
In giving evidence the police raised concerns about the run down state of the clubrooms and said the premises may be a target for burglaries if alcohol was to be on the premises.
A report from the licensing Inspector, who conducted a site inspection before the hearing, also raised issues with the club operating illegally as its liquor licence had expired in 2015.
Skip bins overflowing with rubbish and other bins full of alcohol bottles also added weight to his report.
In the club’s submission it stated ‘‘the club was the hub of the community and was reliant on the sale of alcohol’.
The club said the current committee were not aware of the licensing requirements as they didn’t get a proper handover when they took over in 2015 following concerns about the poor management of the executive.
In her written decision Commissioner Sara Brown noted the club had a ‘‘chequered licensing history’’.
The club had been acting unlawfully in operating without a
‘‘The club was the hub of the community.’’
licence for more than a year.
In its decision, the Committee said there was ‘‘insufficient evidence to prove, on the balance of probabilities, that the club is a suitable entity to hold a club licence’’.
The Committee specifically raised concerns around the club having the necessary staff, systems and training in place.
‘‘Given the lack of organisation and lack of understanding about the requirements of the (Sale and Supply of Alcohol) Act, there is the potential for alcohol-related harm to occur’’, the decision said.
The application was denied.