Backlash over booze control ideas

Most public submitters to the Whangarei District Council's recommended trading hours for on and off-licensed liquor premises - including a one-way door policy - have rejected the proposal.
In February, the council decided to review the district's liquor licensing by-laws and presented a draft policy for the public to make submissions.
The draft proposal drew 103 submissions from a cross-section of the community, from supermarket giants Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises, the Salvation Army, Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand, police and the Hospitality Association of New Zealand (HANZ).
For on-licensed premises in central Whangarei, the council is recommending trading hours be between 8am and 3am the following day. A one-way door system between 1am and 3am is also  proposed.
The council is proposing that off-licensed premises be allowed to sell liquor from 9am to 10pm.
If approved by councillors on August 25, the proposed licensing hours will come into force on December 31, 2012, after the Rugby World Cup. The date is in line with licence renewal cycle which will provide a level playing field for businesses. The 28-month sunset period will also permit businesses to adapt to the new trading hours.
In a hearing at Forum North yesterday  for the council to hear oral submissions, council regulatory services manager Grant Couchman  said of the 103 submissions received,  69 per cent - or 55 of them - were not in favour of on-license premises opening from 8am to 1pm as the council had put up as one option. The other option of allowing trading hours  between 8am and 3am the following day was favoured by only 15 per cent - or 10 submitters.
For off-licenses, 68 per cent  (49 submitters) favoured liquor sales between 8am to 8pm while 72 per cent rejected trading hours of between 8am and 10pm. Mr Couchman said on-licensed premises outside central Whangarei, clubs and special licensed premised would not change.
"It is recommended that the policy be reviewed initially three years after adoption and thereafter, every five years," he said.
Nearly 50 per cent of submitters agreed with the 5+ solution offered by Alcohol Action NZ.  This suggestion includes raising alcohol prices, purchase age and drink-driving counter measures and reducing alcohol accessibility and marketing.
Owen Sinclair of Killer Prawn Restaurant and Bar, said earlier closing times for bars would push people into house parties and illegal bars.

 He said tourists coming to Whangarei would find night life in the city dull and boring.
HANZ said the hours proposed by the council would inevitably bring a radical reduction in working hours and staff redundancies and,  in some cases, could entirely close down some businesses. It does not believe the one-door policy would necessarily resolve the problem of significant numbers of people leaving premises at the same time. The Association supported the ability of licensees to apply for 24-hour licensing where appropriate.
The council is proposing:
On-license premises daily opening hours of 8am to 3am the following day, with a one-way door system  between 1am and 3am;
Off-licensed premises can open from 9am to 10pm;
The proposed trading hours, if approved, to come into force on December 31, 2012.