Hamilton City Council is revisiting its Local Alcohol Policy after ditching its plans four years ago due to pressure from the liquor industry.
Supermarket chains were among those who appealed the council's planned alcohol policy in 2017. Photo: 123RF
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 licences in particular areas or near schools or churches. It can also limit the density of licences by specifying whether new licences or types of licences 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.
Leaupepe Rachel Karalus. Photo: LDR
"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," chief executive Leaupepe Rachel Karalus said.
"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, the 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 that at the briefing staff will 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."
She said they were not intended for making decisions but to help with complex issues 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.
DHB supportive
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.
Medical officer of health Dr Richard Hoskins said the burden of alcohol on the hospital Emergency Departments, especially the Waikato, is substantial.
Over the period 1 December 2019 to 30 November 2021, there were 6262 alcohol related incidents at 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 percent 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 living in situations where alcohol use and abuse feature," Karalus said.
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