A landowner who opposed a liquor licence application for a new craft brewery in Wanaka told the district licensing committee last week he "fully" acknowledged he was wasting his time.
Rhyme & Reason co-owners Jessica Herman and Simon Ross had applied for an on- and off-licence for their new business venture in Wanaka’s industrial area, which would enable them to hold tastings, have direct sales and establish a cellar door-type bar.
"It’s going to be like visiting a winery, but it’s beer," Ms Herman said during last week’s hearing in Queenstown.
The pair wanted to lift the profile of craft beer in Wanaka and aimed to "make the best beer in the world".
"[We are] taking a huge financial risk starting a brewery.
"We have a lot to lose.
"We have gone above and beyond to show we’re doing the right thing. We not only have our futures to think about, but the future of our employees," Ms Herman said.
The sole objector, neighbouring landowner John Eckhold, of Queenstown, raised safety concerns, a risk of increased crime and disorder and the potential for loitering among his issues.
Mr Eckhold owned land opposite the proposed brewery for which building consent had been lodged.
It is tenanted by two separate businesses, both of which operate heavy machinery.
He believed the business could potentially create safety issues for those tenants, causing them to vacate his land.Heavy machinery and trucks drove in and out of the site at "all hours of the day and night" and the brewery could result in "intoxicated people wandering into the path of those large vehicles".
He said there was limited to no street lighting and he was also concerned about the risk of people tampering with or attempting to steal equipment and machinery from his site, which was fenced.
Mr Eckhold was further concerned about patrons of the brewery parking illegally on the street, blocking access for his tenants and increased litter, including broken glass.
He also felt given the distance from the town centre "there’s a probability that taxis will not readily go to this location if they are busy in town".
However, liquor licensing agent Nik Horn, on behalf of the applicant, said there was street lighting outside the brewery, as well as a footpath on that side of the road, and additional security lighting and CCTV cameras were proposed.
As part of its consent, the brewery had to meet parking requirements and, due to its proposed operating hours — 11am to 10.30pm Sunday to Thursday and 11am until 11.30pm Friday and Saturday — it was contended taxis would be readily available.
Mr Horn said he found it "curious" Mr Eckhold was, essentially, objecting on behalf of his tenants, when neither took issue with the proposal.
Mr Eckhold said he was objecting "on behalf of my tenant, but also myself".
"One of my concerns is the tenants will leave the premises.
"I’ve got myself and my future to look after, as well.‘‘If I lose those tenants ... what does that do to my income?"
Neither the police nor the Queenstown Lakes District Council took issue with the application and committee chairman Judge Bill Unwin congratulated the pair on their application.
"It’s not often that you read from the inspector ‘it’s rare that an application of this calibre is received’."
The committee reserved its decision but hoped it could be released before Christmas.
"In any event ... no licence can issue until certification of compliance is received," Judge Unwin said.
