Fire and Emergency have become noticeably more involved in the vetting process for new liquor licences in Waipā.
Karl Tutty
In his annual report to the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority, Compliance manager Karl Tutty said the total number of all applications for the financial year ended June 30 was a record 462 – the highest since the act came into force in 2012 – and 50 up on last year.
“Waipā continues to grow, and more hospitality operations are expected. This also reflects the focus on quicker processing and competing more of the older applications,” he told Waipā district councillors this week.
Having a dedicated police contact – in addition to the extra Fire and Emergency scrutiny – had increased collaboration between the agencies and helped the committee and inspectors’ work.
But poor or incomplete applications challenged the Waipā Licensing Authority which granted nine new on licences, six new off licences, 114 new manager’s certificates and 57 liquor licence renewals.
Training records and manager rosters are often overlooked, and the committee now issues formal directions requesting the information, said Tutty.
The authority refused one renewal – for the troubled Five Stags in Pirongia.
“The recent refusal… was a clear signal to licensees that there was no automatic right to renewal and that suitability remains a key focus.”
Liquor deliveries were an essential service during Covid lockdown.
Waipa had 76 on licences, 38 off licences and 28 club licences and 475 manager certificates on June 30.
Hearings are now advertised publicly in part a response to ongoing requests from The News but also to pre-empt expected changes to the Community Participation amendments.
There were more requests from social and support organisations to view applications than in past years, he said.
These agencies often considered labour and employment and conditions of visa issues including licensees underpaying staff or taking advantage of migrant workers.
For the third year running Tutty urged the government to review the act -which is now 12 years old – and asked for a definition of intoxication in the act.
An arrangement where the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority previously circulated significant decisions seemed to have stopped.
“The District Licensing Committee and staff rely on media and other means to become aware of decisions, including those in other jurisdictions such as the Supreme Court.”
Tegan McIntyre now chairs the Waipā licensing committee with previous chair Sara Grayson helping as required.
Its purpose is to consider and determine applications for licences, manager’s certificates, renewal of licenses and manager’s certificates, temporary authorities and other matters pursuant to section 187 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
Liquor licence applications are on the up. Photo: Edward Eyer, pexels.com
