Welcome to Liquor Link – an update from Auckland Council about alcohol licensing and alcohol issues in Auckland.

I trust you are all having a busy summer period as Aucklanders continue to enjoy long weekends and the fantastic range of events on throughout the region.  To make sure everything operates seamlessly and you’re not left high and dry in the summer heat, ensure your licence renewal is done in time if it’s your business anniversary. Auckland Council does send out a notification to licensees advising them that their licence anniversary is coming up. Also, if you need a Special Licence, apply 20 working days beforehand so we can get that organised for you.

Today we have further updates for you on the Food Act, central government legislation that  will affect most hospitality businesses next year, and how we want to work with on-licenses first.

Rob Abbott, Auckland Council Alcohol Licensing.

In November 2014, the Auckland Council Hearings Panel decided to defer its deliberations on the draft Local Alcohol Policy (LAP), and any recommendations for a provisional Auckland Council Local Alcohol Policy, until early 2015.  Part of the reasoning for this decision was that it would enable the Hearings Panel to consider the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority’s (ARLA) decision on the appeals against the Wellington City Council Provisional LAP.

Just over a week ago ARLA publicly released its decision on Wellington City Council’s Provisional LAP.  This decision, along with the judgement on the Tasman District Council Provisional Local Alcohol Policy (released late last year), provides some important guidance to other councils around the country that are busy developing their own LAPs, including Auckland Council.  Council officers are reviewing the decision and are working with the Hearings Panel to find a new date for the public deliberations.  This will be publicly notified and announced once a date is confirmed.

Thank you once again for all your submissions and interest in this process. 

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has set out proposals for regulations under the Food Act 2014 and wishes to consult with stakeholders including industry to gauge their support.

They are holding consultation meetings around the country and will be in Auckland in mid-February. We recommend that if you are a Food Service Business (eg bar, restaurant, café or caterer) you take the opportunity to ask MPI representatives how the new regulations will work as you will be the first to operate under the Food Act.

Other food operators or industry association representative are also welcome to attend and ask questions.

Dates and details for the events have just been confirmed:

When: 2pm–4pm, Thursday 12 February

Where: Tasman Board Room, Rendezvous Hotel, 71 Mayoral Drive, Auckland Central

Who: Food and beverage industries, MPI, Auckland Council Environmental Health team.

RSVP is not required as you can register on the day.

Council Environmental Health Officers will be at this event and can talk you through aspects of the Act that you can get started on now. We will be holding free mentoring sessions across the region in the coming months so we can sign you up for those too.

To find out more about the Act visit www.mpi.govt.nz