Mount Maunganui bars could have their opening hours extended by two hours as part of the local alcohol policy that will govern drinking rules in both the Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga City.
During a meeting to discuss the draft policy yesterday, councillors from both areas agreed to include a 3am closing time for all bars, taverns, restaurants, nightclubs and hotels, along with a one-way door policy from 2am.
Opening hours at Mount Maunganui bars could be increased to match those in Tauranga City.
The current closure time for Mount Maunganui bars is 1am, while Tauranga bars already stay open until 3am.
Councillors hope the new sub-regional closing time would prevent the late night migration of Mount drinkers into the city for another two hours of drinking.
Western BOP District Council policy planning and community manager Rachael Davie says the 3am closing suggestion was not unanimous.
'It's not voting, it's direction. They haven't made a policy, it is just a direction to staff drafting policy, and it certainly wasn't unanimous.”
Other directions to come out of the workshop yesterday include a direction to not restrict the numbers of bars, taverns, and licenced restaurants across the sub-region, and to make no change to the policy on bars in industrial areas – which police oppose.
The joint Local Alcohol Policy is being fast-tracked where possible to get as much work done before the local body elections on October 12.
That means the Joint Governance Committee will have to receive, consider and recommend adoption of the draft policy to the partner councils by mid-July, with the city adopting it on July 30, followed by the District Council on August 1.
Public consultation can be then completed and submissions heard by mid-September, allowing the Joint Governance Committee to deliberate on submissions before the elections.
The post-election councils are to notify provisional policy as soon as practicable after December 18, which is the earliest date permitted by the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
Christmas and New Year will soak up the appeals period with the policy able to be adopted in February 2014, if there are no appeals.
The extremely tight timeline provides little scope for changes if one or both councils decide against accepting the Joint Governance Committee's recommendation to adopt the draft policy.
The agenda report signed off by Western Bay's group manager of corporate planning services Miriam Taris and Tauranga deputy chief executive Christine Jones says an extra two weeks can be gained if the councils delegate authority for adopting the draft policy to the Joint Committee.
Selwyn District Council, Christchurch City, Waimakariri District Council already have local alcohol policies, while Hamilton is not far away.
Tauranga is among a number of councils attempting to get as much work done on the policy before the end of the triennium on October 12.
8 comments
Definitely opposed to this.
Posted on 13-06-2013 13:20 | By Midge
I really hope this does not go through - the Mount bars are so close to homes at the mount - 1am is bearable and the bar closest to my house is currently very courteous and i understand they have a business to run - so am happy up with the levels of noise currently. but 3am will drive residents crazy and people will still be hanging around long after 3am making a lot of noise. I am not sure what this is achieving except pissing people off that live at the Mount - "Councillors hope the new sub-regional closing time would prevent the late night migration of Mount drinkers into the city for another two hours of drinking." so instead they stay at the Mount for another two hours of drinking and annoying all the residents. What is wrong with them going to the strand - a place not a surrounded by houses and apartments. Don't get me wrong I frequent the bars at the Mount and go to into the Strand after the Mount closes and yes it would be great not to have to spend a taxi fare to do that but not at the expense of a good night's sleep on other nights of the week and the peaceful environment in which I live. Taxi drivers won't be too happy about it either - they get a good fare going between the Mount and Tauranga.
whos the clown
Posted on 13-06-2013 16:34 | By hapukafin
who is suggesting bar hours need to be extended when our police and medical people are already strechted beyond limits with overtime.this will mean neady hospital patients will be shoved down the waiting list.if the council grants this they need to get their heads read and take over control of policing themselves
control important
Posted on 13-06-2013 20:19 | By traceybjammet
hopefully bars will enforce no serving drunks etc and stop people from milling outside on the street and hopefully the hoons will just go home and those that wish to be out late and don't want to go home at 12 can keep dancing but to make it work the bars really have to enforce the rules and make sure people move on quickly and head home. plus you get used to the noise of people and bars and businesses have to make money so restrictions and rules have to be city-wide. Its a city for young people not just those that want to stay at home and there is always solutions to any problem double-glazing helps on the sides of houses that face businesses
Posted on 13-06-2013 21:48 | By whatsinaname
how stupid can we get. gosh there is enuff problems now with alochol related incidence with out adding to them. bring n 10 pm closing.
more is better
Posted on 13-06-2013 22:09 | By wazzock
oh yeah, we need more bars open way longer. also more legal highs available. plus cages for fighting later on. and free taxis. and the bar owners will patrol this and make it safe cos they really care about the people milling around. they aren't in it only for the $$$. no way. they are only satisfying a demand and if they didn't do it then someone else would eh. so yeah, nah. the mount should be open later, then all the tauranga drinkers, fighters and lovers can come over and party here and we can make more money and the town will be vibrant and exciting and urban and cosmopolitan and we can put in parking meters and reduce rates and all that. plus also that will make it fairer especially if the bars at greerton can stay open until 6am and they can have parking meters too.
Not A Done Deal
Posted on 13-06-2013 22:40 | By austinz
Readers have to remember that when this goes out to the public, it is just a 'draft' document that it put out for discussion and consultation. If the community don't like what is in the draft (or if they do like it) they really need to exercise their right to make submissions and TELL our elected members what they think/want. If we say nothing, whatever goes out it the draft MAY become policy or MAY be changed because others were prepared to have their voices heard. We can't be silent either way - people must make submissions and GET INVOLVED.
.
Posted on 14-06-2013 09:23 | By mrmoo
Bar Owners need to make money to pay their bills & Staff wages. They operate in the most legislative industry in New Zealand and in the past 18 year i have been around the industry it has deteriorated. ITS NOT OK to go out to town to start a fight or harass people but really this is our fault for the generation growing up without responsibility for their own actions. As for controlling people after they leave your establishment how can you do this???? send a security guard home with them??? Is it not better to have our young people drink in a controlled monitored situation instead of having alcohol fuelled street parties. Remember if bars dont make money they cant pay bills or employ staff. Get you heads out of your arses and look at the bigger picture. How many people are employed in Bars and restaurants in the CBD, Then add taxi drivers. Street sweepers and all the other associated workers to a saturday night out. HOW MANY JOBS IS THAT????
RIDICULOUS PROPOSAl
Posted on 16-06-2013 13:36 | By CONDOR
No need to be open beyond 1AM and no justification for this move which is against current NZ public policy initative on liquor abuse.
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