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Hamilton City Council is revisiting its Local Alcohol Policy after ditching its plans four years ago due to pressure from the liquor industry.
Council staff confirmed that elected members will be briefed next month to discuss the process of creating the policy.
By having a Local Alcohol Policy in place, communities will be able to limit the locations of licenses in particular areas or near schools or churches. It can also limit the density of licenses by specifying whether new licenses or types of licenses should be issued in a particular area.
Hamilton-based health services provider, K’aute Pasifika, is welcoming any measure to reduce alcohol related harm in the community.
“K’aute Pasifika supports any measures which have the effect of reducing alcohol related harm, especially now in these Covid-19 impacted times when our communities are experiencing increased social and financial pressures,” CEO Leaupepe Rachel Karalus says.
“K’aute Pasifika is encouraged by the Hamilton City Council putting this important lever for community wellness back on the agenda and will be supporting consultation efforts across our Pacific and broader community.”
The Council last proposed a provisional Local Alcohol Policy in 2017. There were three appeals at the time: two from supermarket chains and the third from a Māori based organisation.
After negotiations failed to resolve the issues, Council decided to abandon the provisional policy due to the projected costs on ratepayers.
Hamilton City Council’s Community Acting General Manager Lee-Ann Jordan said at the briefing staff would present contextual information on the process but also seek direction from elected members.
“Hamilton City Council Elected Member briefings are forums for the presentation and discussion of information and an opportunity for staff to seek elected member input and direction. Briefings are not decision-making forums; typically items presented relate to reports on more complex matters scheduled to be brought to future Council/Council committee meetings, or topical items of high interest.”
Once a policy is in place, licensing bodies must consider it when they make decisions about alcohol licensing applications.
Waikato District Health Board is also supporting the creation of a policy, saying it is committed to working with agencies to reduce alcohol related harm and provide regional information on alcohol related harm to inform policy.
“In addition, the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 proscribes roles for the Medical Officer of Health (or delegates) with respect to alcohol licensing decisions made by Council appointed District Licensing Committees and when Councils are developing Local Alcohol Policies,” Medical Officer of Health Dr Richard Hoskins said.
Dr Hoskins said the burden of alcohol on hospital Emergency Departments, especially in Waikato, was substantial.
Over the period 1 December 2019 to 30 November 2021, there were 6262 alcohol related incidents admitted to the Emergency Departments (ED) of the five hospitals in the Waikato DHB (Hamilton, Thames, Tokoroa, Te Kuiti and Taumarunui).
“Of these, in 6060 cases alcohol consumption was directly associated… And 202 were as a consequence of others’ alcohol consumption. Alcohol related ED presentations across all five of the Waikato DHB hospitals accounted for 2.6% of the total number of presentations and 12,340 ED bed hours.”
K’aute Pasifika staff are also seeing an increase in the need for alcohol related support from the community.
“We are seeing an increase in referrals across our service including mental health and drug and alcohol related supports. We are also seeing the negative flow on effects for children in living situations where alcohol use and abuse feature,” Karalus says.
