The Alcohol Advisory Council (Alac) is welcoming the Court of Appeal's decision to dismiss an appeal of the Liquor Licensing Authority's decision to restrict opening hours for licensed premises in Queenstown.
The appeal was brought by My Noodle Ltd (Sky Bar), Central Otago Breweries Ltd (Harry's Pool Bar), Chuck Norris Ltd (Minibar) and Barmuda Ltd at a one-day hearing in Wellington on October 21.
Alac chief executive Gerard Vaughan said the Court of Appeal's decision was important because it supported community opinion in licensing decisions, especially on issues such as opening hours and the availability of alcohol.
In May 2007, the Queenstown Lakes District Council adopted a new liquor licensing policy which clawed back the existing open-all-hours policy to 4am closing following extensive public consultation.
Subsequently, the authority declined to allow 24-hour trading for either new on-licences or those applying for renewal.
Mr Vaughan said Alac supported the authority's decision to alter licence conditions and bring them into line with the council's alcohol policies.
He also pointed to the Court of Appeal's statement in its decision that described liquor policies as promoting consistent decision making and providing guidance to applicants.
The policies also allowed for wider community input at a broad policy level than was possible when looking at individual licensing applications.
"This decision shows councils that it is worth the effort to develop local alcohol policies and plans, as their work to balance the needs of the community and the alcohol industry has weight in licensing decisions," he said.
This Court of Appeal decision enabled the council to put its wishes concerning liquor licensing into effect, Mr Vaughan said.
Russell Gray, a spokesman for the appellants, said a meeting would be held on Thursday to decide whether to take the matter to the Supreme Court.
The council received 401 submissions, 93% of which supported 24-hour trading.
The police and Public Health South backed a blanket closing time of 2.30am.
