November 01, 2022
Community relief as booze barristers get shut out
A South Auckland local board chair says a proposed change to the Sale of Alcohol Act answers longstanding pleas from within his community for more say in where liquor outlets set up.
Tauanu’u Nanai Nick Bakulich from the Mangere-Otahuhu board says the industry has targeted lower socio-economic areas, with around 180 off-license outlets in his area
He met last month with Justice Minister Kiritapu Allan along with members of the Community Against Alcohol group, but they didn’t expect a result so fast.
“It does tip the balance which has been heavily weighted towards the powerful alcohol industry and now we have a situation where the community can feel a lot more empowered and there are aspects of the hearings – it won’t be so daunting,” Mr Bakulich says.
He says under the current process community advocates find themselves being grilled by high-priced industry lawyers if they try to speak up.
The proposed change will limit the ability of retailers and the liquor industry to fight council consent decisions through the courts.
Mr Bakulich says a high number of outlets normalises alcohol for young people, and the two largest schools in the area have liquor stores at their gates.