Liquor shop proposal draws fierce opposition

The application to open a new bottle store in North Dunedin poses a "clear and present danger'' to students and must be refused, police say.

Police, Public Health South, the University of Otago and a Dunedin City Council licensing inspector are all fighting plans by McCarthy Enterprises owners Ken and Patricia McCarthy to open a new Super Liquor outlet in Great King St at the site of the former McDuffs Brewery.

Speaking to a District Licensing Committee in Dunedin yesterday, Dunedin alcohol harm prevention officer Sergeant Ian Paulin said the committee should refuse the application, otherwise it would result in an increase in the number of off-licenses in the ``vulnerable student flatting area''.

``This is about Dunedin and our unique student population and a community already so badly affected by alcohol-related harm that the issue of another licence can only increase harm.''

Sgt Paulin asked if the only way to ``wake up everyone'' to the harm cheap alcohol from off-licences caused was for someone from the ``vulnerable'' community to die.

Mrs McCarthy asked what had happened to ``personal responsibility and consequences for criminal and anti-social behaviour''.

``We do not pour alcohol down anyone's throat or ask them to drink to excess. If someone wants to buy alcohol and drink irresponsibly they will get it somehow, no matter where the outlets are.''

Home brew was a ``growing trend'' and the drink had been ``brewed in student baths for many years''. In addition, people could buy cheap alcohol online, Mrs McCarthy said.

University of Otago psychology department senior lecturer Dr Damian Scarf said online sales of alcohol was not a concern because it was not delivered immediately.

University of Otago department of preventive and social medicine research and teaching fellow Dr Kimberly Cousins talked about the links between the density of off-licences and increased alcohol-related harm.

A study revealed the chance of binge drinking increased 4% for each additional liquor outlet within 1km from a home, Dr Cousins said.

SDHB health promotion adviser Toni Paterson said six off-licences were operating within 1km of the proposed Super Liquor.

``University of Otago students drink more hazardously than their non-student peers and they experience a high incidence of acute alcohol harm, including blackouts, negative sexual experiences and violence.''

The hearing will reconvene at 2pm tomorrow.

shawn.mcavinue@odt.co.nz

 

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