Alcohol in the City

There has been a lot of media coverage recently about the CBD and alcohol related issues. As a 24/7 destination, it’s important for the City Centre to strike a balance in being able to offer an exciting and vital night-time experience, but equally one that is safe and people want to visit. Here’s our update on what is on the horizon in terms of Alcohol-related policy and bylaws in Auckland, and what that may mean for HOTC members.

Auckland Council are waiting on the Alcohol Reform Bill to be passed into law, before drafting and consulting on a draft Alcohol Policy. The Bill has been through the select committee and currently waiting on its third reading, where it will be passed. There is no certainty when this will occur, but it is anticipated to be sometime later this year.

As it currently reads, the AR Bill will allow Local Government (Council) to have an Alcohol Policy that will guide decision making at an operational level (i.e. guide decisions around liquor licenses), and in council’s own words will have ‘teeth’. The Policy will specify aspects such as:
· Location of licenses issued
· Whether further licenses will be issued in certain areas (i.e. this may mean caps on the number of businesses operating in certain areas)
· Maximum Trading Hours
· Ability to have one way door restrictions

The Policy’s development will be extensive, including looking at international best practice, and there will be extensive public consultation, which will give Heart of the City, and HOTCity members the opportunity to contribute to the debate.

To date, council have now completed research which looks at key alcohol related issues (a requirement under the AR Bill) including:
· Number of licenses
· Hours of operation & locations
· Liquor bans
· District ban provisions (legacy plans)
· Demography - residents and visitors
· Health indicators
· Nature and severity of alcohol related problems

This research was reported to Council last week, and can be downloaded here. 

The implementation of the new Auckland Council Alcohol Policy (and any amended Bylaw), will occur no earlier than 12 months after the AR Bill is passed, and so we are unlikely to see any changes until mid to late 2013.

What could this mean for HOTC Businesses?
A change in central government law, and then local policy,could mean a change in the way the Central City businesses may have to operate.

The development of the Auckland Alcohol Policy will be an area of key interest for HOTCity and our Board. We will be actively participating in the consultation process, and will also look to work with relevant sector associations– including the hospitality association and the restaurant association, as part of this process to understand their views. If you have a particular interest in the Alcohol Policy and Bylaw development please let us know. We will continue to keep HOTC businesses updated as progress is made on this vital topic.