23.3.2018
Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) is pleased with a community win from its opposition to a new off-licence application in South Auckland.
ARPHS Clinical Director Dr Julia Peters says Public Health, Police and Auckland Council opposed the application for a fifth bottle store within one kilometre radius of the proposed premise. The location was to be in one of the most deprived areas of Auckland.
"We applaud the decision by the applicant not to proceed. Our argument before the District Licensing Agency was very strong. The proposed location of the store would have been close to schools, early childhood centres and medical facilities.
"Our opposition, however, was mostly around adding yet another liquor outlet to a community identified as experiencing high levels of alcohol related harm," Dr Peters says.
In this case it appears that the business listened to the community’s voice and to concerned agencies. Next time ARPHS is hoping the District Licensing Agency will also take heed. "We would like the Agency to take notice of the health implications and the depth of local feeling when considering new applications in areas already saturated with bottle stores. This hasn’t been our experience in the last five years of the new liquor laws," Dr Peters says.
Counties Manukau District Māori Council spokesperson David (Rawiri) Ratu is pleased that a Māori voice has been conveyed to the District Licensing Agency through the opposition, and that the right outcome has been achieved for Māori.
For further comment from David (Rawiri) Ratu phone 0278 333 350.