New local alcohol plan still being worked on by Hamilton council

Hamilton City Council has welcomed Government moves to make it easier for communities to develop their own alcohol sales guidelines and confirmed it’s looking at its own new local alcohol policy (LAP).

Last week Justice Minister Kiri Allan announced proposed changes to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 – one of the changes would remove the right to appeal the introduction of LAPs.

It echoes similar efforts by Green MP Chlo¨ e Swarbrick, endorsed by the council in May.

The proposed changes are expected to be passed into law by mid-2023.

LAPs set out how alcohol can be sold, such as the number and location of premises, trading hours and any special conditions.

Hamilton’s notified LAP in 2016 was hampered by three appeals and abandoned in 2018 after the council spent more than $200,000.

Asked about the minister’s announcement, a council spokesperson confirmed this week that work was continuing on a fresh LAP for Hamilton.

It followed a decision at the community committee meeting in April, where staff were tasked with researching local and national evidence of alcohol-related harm, and with developing a plan for the timeline and costs to introduce a LAP.

‘‘The outcome of the (minister’s) proposed law changes will inform this planning,’’ the spokesperson said.

‘‘Work so far includes commissioning research into local and national alcohol-related harm, and any potential for issues to be mitigated through council polices or processes.’’

Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate said in a statement the proposed law changes could reduce alcohol-related harm in the community by putting more controls around the sale of liquor.

Importantly, the changes would give councils and their communities more power to decide how and where alcohol is sold.

‘‘Hamilton has previously voiced its concerns about the appeals process which can be both costly and time consuming,’’ Southgate said.

‘‘Alcohol does cause harm in our communities. The changes put forward by the Government allow councils to create alcohol policies which serve the interests of their communities.’’

While the appeal process would be removed under the proposed changes, businesses could continue to give feedback on the development of LAPs when councils open consultation with communities, the council said.

MARK TAYLOR/ STUFF Smugglers Liquor in Nawton last week had its licence renewal bid rejected by the district licensing committee in a ‘‘very rare’’ move – opponents of renewal included Hamilton city west ward councillor Sarah Thomson.