Future Kaikōura Submission on the Provisional Alcohol Policy 2019
Name Future Kaikōura – Kaikōura Business Association
Phone 0210325244
Email info@futurekaikoura.co.nz
√ I wish to receive updates about this policy.
√ I would like to discuss my submission with Council staff and the Tri-Agencies.
Policy Goals, Context and Objectives
It is admirable to want to minimise alcohol related harm across the district and contribute to Kaikōura being a safe place to live, work, play and visit. However, we do not feel that the Policy as it stands will achieve these goals.
One of the Policy goals is to reflect the changing character of Kaikōura District and its communities. Nowhere in the Policy or the accompanying Council report, does it state how the district is changing and how the Policy reflects this.
As a Business Association we want to see Kaikōura grow and one way to do this is to provide a vibrant nightlife and allow people to partake in local “Kaikōura” experiences and enjoy artisan products.
The safe and responsible supply and sale of alcohol is important, however there needs to be context around this. Currently it is extremely difficult, if not impossible or expensive, for low risk operators to be able to provide tasting and sales of their products. Business operators would like to be able to provide people with the story behind their product, let people taste their product and then provide the opportunity for purchase of the product. These premises are able to provide a fantastic “Kaikōura” experience for visitors and locals and are very low risk in terms of alcohol related harm. Examples of this are locally made product incorporating brewery tour and tasting, locally made Mead tastings and sales and weekend Farmers Markets. All could be considered a very low risk profile. We think the Policy should do more to enable these businesses to prosper in Kaikōura and allow them to be a part of this potential growth area for Kaikōura in artisanal product.
We do not agree that the Policy currently assists in ensuring the safe and responsible sale and supply and consumption of alcohol in Kaikōura and our reasons are explained later in our submission.
The goals, context and policy objectives are very narrow in their focus. A view of economic and social wellbeing appears to be missing. The majority of people who go to a licensed premise behave in a responsible manner. Social interaction is important for mental health; surely it is safer for individuals to drink in a controlled environment with other people than alone in a private home.
We believe that ensuring licensed premises take appropriate measures to minimise alcohol harm could be achieved by additional training and advising premises of current issues. The Provisional Policy does not explain why blanket provisions are being put in place. We do understand that at a recent meeting between local authorities and business these issues were mentioned. We encourage further discussion around those points.
Given the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act has put measures in place to control safe and responsible supply and consumption of alcohol which are considered reasonable, the need for a Local Alcohol Policy is questioned.
Policy 1: Maximum Permitted Trading Hours
Earlier closing of licensed premises means that those who wish to continue their night out are likely to go to an unsupervised private venue where alcohol consumption is not monitored, thereby potentially increasing alcohol related harm. A later closing time means that people will depart at various times rather than in large groups. This in turn makes it easier for safe transport options.
Issues related to management practices of premises are better dealt with through additional training and conversations with the premise rather than a blanket closing time of 1.00am.
We don’t believe that the bad behaviour of a small percentage of people who become anti –social or violent should affect responsible visitors, locals and businesses. People who become violent, anti-social or drink drive are likely to do this no matter what time a premise closes or what laws are in place.
Policy 1.2 Off Licences
The legislation allows for trading hours from 7.00am to 11.00pm. Future Kaikōura questions the reason for stating a 10.00pm close as it is difficult to see the benefits of a 10.00pm closure over an 11.00pm closure.
Policy 2: Special Licences
We question what is trying to be achieved by a limit on the number of special licences. 15 special licences are not enough in terms of regular events e.g. Farmers Market. Also, it limits the opportunity for businesses (particularly artisans) wanting to run regular, exclusive, smaller specialised events.
We would like to see flexibility around dates for special licences particularly for market type events. This would allow for markets to change dates to meet demand, work around other events or cope with weather restrictions.
Future Kaikōura also believes that markets where there is more than one stall holder should be able to apply for one licence for the whole market rather than having to apply for multiple special licences to make it more viable for producers.
Policy 3: Discretionary Conditions
3.1 Future Kaikōura supports the supervised designation of bottle stores to ensure unaccompanied minors do not enter bottle stores.
3.2 “Public bar” is not listed in the definitions for the Policy however we support bars being supervised. There is a need for parts of premises to be designated as restaurants where requested by the business owner. This would allow youth, e.g. sports teams to dine.
“Places of entertainment” is also not listed in the definitions and appears very vague in nature. We believe this wording should be removed from the Policy.
3.3 Future Kaikōura supports the display of safe drinking messages and other signage as outlined in this Policy.
3.4 Future Kaikōura does not support a one way door Policy restriction which may be imposed as a condition of any new or renewal on-licence for any hotel or tavern from 12pm midnight. We believe issues are caused if one establishment wishes to close earlier than usual or is having a quiet night but can’t refer a patron to another establishment. This also means that people who may have been separated from their group must wait on the street for their friends. This might be considered an unsafe option. This Policy may work well in larger centres but is not appropriate for our smaller community where there are fewer venues and limited choice.
3.5 Future Kaikōura has issue with this Policy which appears to be a “catch all”. Types of products sold should always be a business decision as products may be part of a business theme. Quantities are already limited by vessel and measure as per the Act.
In summary, we believe whilst the intentions of the Policy are sound they don’t take into consideration all aspects of a sustainable community such as ours. Perhaps there could be more consideration of the economic and social well-being of the community and individual choice. The Policy appears to not be visitor friendly and restrictive in terms of a potential vibrant nightlife experience in Kaikōura. In order to have people stay longer in Kaikōura we need to increase night time experiences available to our visitors.
We feel the Proposed Policy as it stands has the potential to cause harm by pushing people from supervised areas into private venues where there is no alcohol consumption supervision. As pointed out by the authorities at a recent meeting there is already concern over patron’s behaviour when departing premises.
The Policy needs to include measures which make it easy for artisans to obtain off-licences. These businesses which are very low risk in terms of off –licenced premises have a story and experience to sell to visitors. This should be actively encouraged not discouraged.
Future Kaikōura would like to thank Council for the opportunity to provide feedback on the Provisional Local Alcohol Policy 2019.
Name Future Kaikōura – Kaikōura Business Association
Phone 0210325244
Email info@futurekaikoura.co.nz
√ I wish to receive updates about this policy.
√ I would like to discuss my submission with Council staff and the Tri-Agencies.
Policy Goals, Context and Objectives
It is admirable to want to minimise alcohol related harm across the district and contribute to Kaikōura being a safe place to live, work, play and visit. However, we do not feel that the Policy as it stands will achieve these goals.
One of the Policy goals is to reflect the changing character of Kaikōura District and its communities. Nowhere in the Policy or the accompanying Council report, does it state how the district is changing and how the Policy reflects this.
As a Business Association we want to see Kaikōura grow and one way to do this is to provide a vibrant nightlife and allow people to partake in local “Kaikōura” experiences and enjoy artisan products.
The safe and responsible supply and sale of alcohol is important, however there needs to be context around this. Currently it is extremely difficult, if not impossible or expensive, for low risk operators to be able to provide tasting and sales of their products. Business operators would like to be able to provide people with the story behind their product, let people taste their product and then provide the opportunity for purchase of the product. These premises are able to provide a fantastic “Kaikōura” experience for visitors and locals and are very low risk in terms of alcohol related harm. Examples of this are locally made product incorporating brewery tour and tasting, locally made Mead tastings and sales and weekend Farmers Markets. All could be considered a very low risk profile. We think the Policy should do more to enable these businesses to prosper in Kaikōura and allow them to be a part of this potential growth area for Kaikōura in artisanal product.
We do not agree that the Policy currently assists in ensuring the safe and responsible sale and supply and consumption of alcohol in Kaikōura and our reasons are explained later in our submission.
The goals, context and policy objectives are very narrow in their focus. A view of economic and social wellbeing appears to be missing. The majority of people who go to a licensed premise behave in a responsible manner. Social interaction is important for mental health; surely it is safer for individuals to drink in a controlled environment with other people than alone in a private home.
We believe that ensuring licensed premises take appropriate measures to minimise alcohol harm could be achieved by additional training and advising premises of current issues. The Provisional Policy does not explain why blanket provisions are being put in place. We do understand that at a recent meeting between local authorities and business these issues were mentioned. We encourage further discussion around those points.
Given the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act has put measures in place to control safe and responsible supply and consumption of alcohol which are considered reasonable, the need for a Local Alcohol Policy is questioned.
Policy 1: Maximum Permitted Trading Hours
- Future Kaikōura has no issue with the trading time proposed for all on-licensed businesses (except hotels and taverns covered by b).
- Future Kaikōura does not support the maximum permitted trading hours for hotels and taverns. We believe a 1.00am closing time has the potential to cause more harm than good. The legislation allows for a closing time of 4.00am and we see no reason for this not to be the case in Kaikōura. This does not stop premises closing earlier than the time stated on their licence.
Earlier closing of licensed premises means that those who wish to continue their night out are likely to go to an unsupervised private venue where alcohol consumption is not monitored, thereby potentially increasing alcohol related harm. A later closing time means that people will depart at various times rather than in large groups. This in turn makes it easier for safe transport options.
Issues related to management practices of premises are better dealt with through additional training and conversations with the premise rather than a blanket closing time of 1.00am.
We don’t believe that the bad behaviour of a small percentage of people who become anti –social or violent should affect responsible visitors, locals and businesses. People who become violent, anti-social or drink drive are likely to do this no matter what time a premise closes or what laws are in place.
- Future Kaikōura supports the hours to apply to hotel in bedroom mini bar sales being Monday to Sunday 24 hours a day.
- Future Kaikōura does not have any issue with the maximum permitted hours proposed for clubs.
Policy 1.2 Off Licences
The legislation allows for trading hours from 7.00am to 11.00pm. Future Kaikōura questions the reason for stating a 10.00pm close as it is difficult to see the benefits of a 10.00pm closure over an 11.00pm closure.
Policy 2: Special Licences
We question what is trying to be achieved by a limit on the number of special licences. 15 special licences are not enough in terms of regular events e.g. Farmers Market. Also, it limits the opportunity for businesses (particularly artisans) wanting to run regular, exclusive, smaller specialised events.
We would like to see flexibility around dates for special licences particularly for market type events. This would allow for markets to change dates to meet demand, work around other events or cope with weather restrictions.
Future Kaikōura also believes that markets where there is more than one stall holder should be able to apply for one licence for the whole market rather than having to apply for multiple special licences to make it more viable for producers.
Policy 3: Discretionary Conditions
3.1 Future Kaikōura supports the supervised designation of bottle stores to ensure unaccompanied minors do not enter bottle stores.
3.2 “Public bar” is not listed in the definitions for the Policy however we support bars being supervised. There is a need for parts of premises to be designated as restaurants where requested by the business owner. This would allow youth, e.g. sports teams to dine.
“Places of entertainment” is also not listed in the definitions and appears very vague in nature. We believe this wording should be removed from the Policy.
3.3 Future Kaikōura supports the display of safe drinking messages and other signage as outlined in this Policy.
3.4 Future Kaikōura does not support a one way door Policy restriction which may be imposed as a condition of any new or renewal on-licence for any hotel or tavern from 12pm midnight. We believe issues are caused if one establishment wishes to close earlier than usual or is having a quiet night but can’t refer a patron to another establishment. This also means that people who may have been separated from their group must wait on the street for their friends. This might be considered an unsafe option. This Policy may work well in larger centres but is not appropriate for our smaller community where there are fewer venues and limited choice.
3.5 Future Kaikōura has issue with this Policy which appears to be a “catch all”. Types of products sold should always be a business decision as products may be part of a business theme. Quantities are already limited by vessel and measure as per the Act.
In summary, we believe whilst the intentions of the Policy are sound they don’t take into consideration all aspects of a sustainable community such as ours. Perhaps there could be more consideration of the economic and social well-being of the community and individual choice. The Policy appears to not be visitor friendly and restrictive in terms of a potential vibrant nightlife experience in Kaikōura. In order to have people stay longer in Kaikōura we need to increase night time experiences available to our visitors.
We feel the Proposed Policy as it stands has the potential to cause harm by pushing people from supervised areas into private venues where there is no alcohol consumption supervision. As pointed out by the authorities at a recent meeting there is already concern over patron’s behaviour when departing premises.
The Policy needs to include measures which make it easy for artisans to obtain off-licences. These businesses which are very low risk in terms of off –licenced premises have a story and experience to sell to visitors. This should be actively encouraged not discouraged.
Future Kaikōura would like to thank Council for the opportunity to provide feedback on the Provisional Local Alcohol Policy 2019.