New liquor outlets may face tougher hurdles

Photo / Janna Dixon

Expansion of off-licence liquor outlets is in the sights of a committee which will draft an alcohol policy for the former Auckland City Council area.

Auckland Council member Richard Northey successfully argued yesterday for limits on liquor stores to be referred for serious consideration by a council committee.

"I want the process to start now," he said. "We are facing a crisis with the mushrooming of off-licence outlets in particular."

The former city council area did not have an alcohol policy like other former cities in the new Auckland Council area.

Mr Northey said any draft policy going out for public comments should enable licensing authorities to decline further licences in areas that had enough outlets already.

Outlets should close at 10pm, exercise strong host responsibilities, and nearby residents and informed groups should be given the opportunity to be heard by the licensing authority on applications for new premises or for licence renewals.