Alcohol licensing

Sections 102 and 105 of the Act apply to new licence applications.

The sections include:

• the object of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
• suitability of the applicant
• relevant local alcohol policy
• days and hours when alcohol will be sold
• design and layout of premises
• other goods and services offered at the premises (excluding food and alcohol).

You can also object about whether:

• the applicant has the appropriate systems, staff, and training to comply with the law
• the amenity and good order of the locality would be reduced by the effects of the issue of the licence, to more than a minor extent
• the amenity and good order of the locality are already badly affected by existing licences that it is not desirable to issue any further licenses
• amenity and good order includes consideration of noise, nuisance, vandalism, nearby sensitive sites, such as schools, and the density of licensed premises in the area

Sections 128 and 131 of the Act apply to applications for the renewal of the licence.

You can object about:

• suitability of the applicant
• relevant local alcohol policy
• days and hours when alcohol will be sold
• design and layout of the premises
• other goods and services offered at the premises (excluding food and alcohol).
• the manner in which the applicant has traded
• whether the amenity and good order of the locality would be increased by the effects of a refusal to renew the licence, by more than a minor extent - this includes consideration of noise, nuisance, vandalism.

Objections to applications for the variation of conditions

Sections 120 of the Act applies to the application for a variation of conditions.

Objections to applications for Special Licences

Any person may object to the grant of a special licence, whether as an individual or as a representative of a group or an organisation, but only if the secretary of the licensing committee has required the applicant to give notice of the application.

Sections 140 and 142 of the Act applies to the application for a Special Licence.

To object to an alcohol licence application, you'll need to:

1. notify us in writing that you wish to object and the reasons why (you must refer to the relevant criteria listed in the sections above)
2. make sure to include your full name, address, email address and contact telephone number.

You need to file your objection with us within 25 working days of the public notification of an application.

The Stratford District Council recognises the importance of alcohol licencing processes and the environment being culturally appropriate and community friendly and seeks to ensure that hearings are easily accessible to Māori (iwi, hapū, whānau, hāpori) and the general public.

An objection can be written in te reo Māori. Where possible, an English translation written by the objector is appreciated for use by the Stratford District Licensing Committee. This will ensure the intent of the objection is correctly translated.

Email your objection to:

Stratforddc@stratford.govt.nz

Post to:

Stratford District Licensing Committee

PO Box 320

Stratford

4352

If we receive a posted objection later than the allowable 25 working-day time frame, we may not be able to consider it.

In person:

63 Miranda Street

Stratford

When we receive your objection, we will:

• send you an acknowledgement letter
• send a copy of the objection to the applicant
• submit your objection to the Stratford District Licensing Committee (DLC) for their consideration.

If the DLC believes the objection meets the criteria for objection, they will schedule a hearing and notify everyone involved. Hearings venues will be considered on a case-by-case basis and consideration will be given to requests for a hearing to be held outside normal business hours and the use of virtual and audio participation. You don't have to attend the hearing, but if you don't appear to answer questions on your objection, the DLC is limited in how much weight it can give to your objection.

See the Health Promotion Agency's advice https://www.alcohol.org.nz/in-your-community/take-... or the Community law centres can https://communitylaw.org.nz/ if you need assistance in preparing a written objection or preparing for a hearing.

• Trade-related objections from other licensed businesses are not valid grounds for objection under the act.
• You should be aware that a copy of your objection will be given to the applicant and made public through the hearing’s agenda.