April 2014
Hi Ayleen
Welcome to Liquor Link – a regular update from Auckland Council about alcohol licensing and alcohol issues in Auckland.
In this edition we look at the rules around service on licensed premises over the long weekends this month - Easter and ANZAC. Both of these weekends have restrictions on the hours that you can sell or serve alcohol under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act (SSAA) 2012. If you are still unsure about how this affects your premises, please do speak to our Alcohol Licensing team. We also have an update on the Local Alcohol Policy which will soon be available for public submission.
We look forward to your comments and feedback and invite you to contact us with any questions you might have about the changing face of alcohol in Auckland.
Rob Abbott, Auckland Council Alcohol Licensing.
Easter and ANZAC Hours
We have received some queries about the coming ‘sacrosanct’ days this month during the Easter break and ANZAC Day and how it will affect licensed premises so here is a reminder of what is and isn’t allowed under the SSAA.
All on-licences, (with the exception of casinos and airside at an international airport), cannot sell or supply alcohol or allow consumption on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and prior to 1pm on Anzac Day. This includes stadiums, domestic aircraft, domestic airport terminals, ferry’s and entertainment venues such as brothels.
The exceptions to this is the sale of alcohol to guests staying at a licensed premises such as a hotel / guest house and patrons dining on a licensed premise - for example a restaurant serving Easter Sunday lunch. It is really important to note that a person is not present on licensed premises to dine if they are there all day! The Act strictly states that ‘dining’ on these dates is actually not more than an hour before a meal is served or more than an hour after the meal is finished.
Off-licences (bottle stores, wine shops, supermarkets for instance) cannot be open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday at all. There are limited exceptions for cellar doors. Off-licences can open for business on Anzac Day at 1pm.
For a copy of the legislation, go to the Ministry of Justice website and view the SSAA, section 47 & 48 http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2012/0120/latest/DLM3339333.html
LAP update: draft policy to go to councillors
Over recent months, we have been busy working through the feedback on the position paper and discussing this with councillors, local boards and various internal stakeholders through a series of meetings and workshops. This has helped to ensure our elected members are informed about the types of issues raised by the community and stakeholders. We’ve also discussed the research and evidence available, to support members to make informed decisions about the direction of the LAP.
We received a lot of valuable feedback and the project team has been busy analysing this and refining the council’s position and is now in the process of finalising the draft policy, which will be presented to councillors on 13 May. Once the policy is approved, including any amendments the councillors may request, it will go out for public consultation.
At this stage we expect to invite written submissions on the draft LAP from mid-June through to mid-July but will advise you when dates have been confirmed.
Applying/renewing licences
All information and application forms have been updated with the new requirements needed under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. These are now available for licensees to download. Please visit www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/alcohol
Information
If licensees are unsure of the new laws please engage with your association, consultant or representative to establish exactly how these changes may affect you. Updated FAQs Changes for Licensees and an FAQ on Fees are available now on the council’s website www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/alcohol
Pass it on...
With the changes to alcohol licensing affecting so many of us, it’s important to talk directly about issues affecting Aucklanders. Please forward this email to others who are interested in alcohol issues for sign up to regular updates.
Contact details
Can’t find an answer to your question? Auckland Council’s alcohol licensing team are on hand to answer more complex questions and can be contacted via email liquorlicensing@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
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