The removal of a cap on the number of off-licence stores allowed to be established in the Western Bay is being labelled 'a big learning curve” by all involved.

The Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority yesterday signed off the consent order to lift the current cap, mutually agreed upon by Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council under the Local Alcohol Policy in September, 2013.

Sergeant Nigel McGlone.

Western Bay of Plenty Police alcohol harm reduction co-ordinator Sergeant Nigel McGlone says police have a neutral position on reverting back but feels all parties rushed into the restriction without proper research.

The cap had the number of bottle outlets at 74 in Tauranga, and 35 in the rest of the Bay of Plenty.

The U-turn comes after legal challenges from supermarket operators and bottle store chains to the joint council initiative and means future applications for new bottle stores can be decided without another existing outlet closing.

Nigel, stopping short of saying they jumped the gun, believes it is a big learning curve.

It wasn't until the restriction was set that councils started considering economic growth and community development, critical with the Bay of Plenty's growing population, he adds.

'If you put a cap on off licenses and where alcohol can be sold you are effectively putting the brakes on shopping centres and supermarkets.”

Under the Local Alcohol Policy, police are able to approve or reject new applications for off-licences on a case by case basis – something they have told councils they will continue.

This includes looking at the proposed location and what sort of implications a new bottle store in that area may, or may not, have in the community.

Nigel says based on police knowledge they can pinpoint how often officers are called to an area and if putting another bottle store there will reduce the amenity and good order, or increase alcohol-related harm.

Tauranga Safe City coordinator Mike Mills cannot comment on the cap removal, stating there are 'other elements” in the LAP being tested which need to be considered.

He says until the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority announces an indication on the use and applicability of a cap, parties involved are never going to know its legitimacy.

'Because obviously the reason for introducing the cap was to stop the wholesale proliferation of liquor outlets and provide some control mechanism around the number.

'Until it has been properly tested and decisions made as to its appropriateness either by council or the licensing authority I don't have much to say.”

The LAP was adopted last year after a survey was carried out between December 2012 and February 2013 to gather the community's view on issues including opening hours, location of licence premises, and the number of on and off licenced premises and a one-way door policy.