What is a Local Alcohol Policy (LAP)?

Local Alcohol Policy
Matamata-Piako District Council
8 May 2015
What is a Local Alcohol Policy
(LAP)?
A set of policy criteria and decisions made by Council and
the community about the sale and supply of alcohol in
the District
Decision makers must take LAP into consideration when
making decisions
Help decision makers better meet the Object of the Sale
and Supply of Alcohol Act, 2012
The Object of the Sale and Supply
of Alcohol Act (The Act)
“the sale, supply, and consumption of alcohol should
be undertaken safely and responsibly; and the harm
caused by the excessive or inappropriate
consumption of alcohol should be minimised”
Goal of LAP is to reduce alcohol related harm
Drafting a LAP
Must develop draft LAP in consultation with Police,
licensing inspectors and Medical Officers of Health
When drafting LAP Council must “have regard to” –
specific list of matters in section 78(2) of the Act
District Plan, number and location of licensed premises in
the District, liquor ban areas, the District residents and
visitors, and the nature and severity of alcohol-related
problems arising in the District.
What can be included in a LAP?
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location of licensed premises referencing broad areas
proximity to premises of a particular kind
proximity to facilities
whether more licences or kinds of licences are to be issued in
an area
maximum trading hours
discretionary conditions
one-way door restrictions
must NOT include matters not relating to licensing i.e. legal
age limit
Adoption of a LAP by MPDC
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Preconsultation
Council invites submissions to the draft
Council holds a Hearing of Submissions
After the Hearing Council may make changes to the draft
LAP
• Council gives public notice of a provisional policy (it is
then open to appeal)
• Provisional policy “adopted” 30 days after publically
notified (or after any appeals resolved)
=Active LAP
Appeals
Previous process (Tasman, Waimak,
Wellington)
 New ARLA Practice direction
 TCDC, Hauraki appeals
 MPDC process
MPDC Appeal
 Three appeals – Progressives and Bottle Stores
 MOH and Police joined the appeal, the Police are not
actively involved
 Mediation – on a w/o prejudice basis have resolved all
appeal points except the cap on bottle stores/liquor
licences
 Process from here – documents to ARLA to declare the
LAP unreasonable, continue with mediation, Council to
reconsider and resubmit. All submitters to be notified.
May still have a hearing on the resubmitted LAP.