A student group is pushing back against the University of Otago’s bid to renew its liquor licence, criticising it as lacking important information.
Students for Sensible Drug Policy Dunedin (SSDP) is also calling for medicine to treat opioid overdoses to be available on-site, and for staff to be trained in its use — a condition the university says should not be required.
The group’s concerns are set to be heard in a District Licensing Committee meeting on Thursday.
This follows the SSDP’s recent objection to Eleven Bar & Club’s on-licence renewal, alongside objections from Police, Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand and a city licensing inspector.
The future of the Octagon venue, popular with students, is likely to be decided by the end of the month.
However, the SSDP was the only objector to what is the university’s third application to renew the licence held since 1999.
It seeks to licence the sale of alcohol at the student venue U Bar, as well as the Staff Club, the University Union, St David Cafe and the Gazebo Lounge.
In the submission contained in the meeting agenda, the SSDP said meaningful engagement about the renewal was limited due to lack of information.
This included information on who was responsible for ensuring safe alcohol consumption, areas covered by the licence and systems in place for them, and information about the "high-risk" U Bar.
"SSDP Dunedin objects outright to this licence being issued or renewed, until such time as the applicant reapplies with appropriate information," the submission said.
Another concern was the university plan, reported by the Otago Daily Times in July last year, to sell alcohol from noon at the University Union food court, subject to approval.
Increasing access to alcohol for a vulnerable demographic in a place of study seemed problematic.
"A much wider consultation and conversation on the substantive matter is urgently required before any meaningful agreement can be made on expanding access to alcohol on campus in terms of both time and availability."
The SSDP also advocated for increased harm-reduction measures, including U Bar staff training to respond to drug and mixed-substance overdoses.
The group said on-licence premises had traditionally sought to sidestep the issue of substance abuse on their premises, reluctant to acknowledge it occurred.
Immediate access to Naloxone — which reverses effects of an opioid overdose — would save lives and should be part of first-aid supplies, the submission said.
Posters and pamphlets about drug-harm reduction should also be displayed.
A licensing inspector’s report contained in the meeting agenda said the premises complied with all aspects of the relevant legislation and there were no issues as to the suitability of the applicant.
University of Otago chief operating officer Stephen Willis said the institution took great care to manage potential harm to those on the premises.
"While there is no history of drug overdose issues in connection with the licensed operations, the University welcomes opportunities to work collaboratively with the objector group to ensure all reasonable steps to provide safe and healthy environments are taken."
However, the university did not believe the issue of bar staff administering Naloxone had been "sufficiently worked through".
It was not appropriate to require it as a condition on the licence, he said.
Mr Willis said detail of the operations carried out under the licence would be provided to the SSDP.
When approached by the Otago Daily Times, the SSDP did not want to comment on the matter until the hearing process had concluded.
Licensing committee chairman Colin Weatherall said final submissions on the separate matter of Eleven Bar & Club’s licence would close on April 21, after which it would take the committee about 10 days to make a decision.
