Meanwhile, Health Minister Simeon Brown has backed the two local MPs who criticised Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora’s (HNZ) opposition to the store.
The application for the Super Liquor outlet in the fast-growing township, population 2300, has attracted a record 538 opposing submissions, including one from HNZ.
Queenstown Lakes District councillor Lyal Cocks, who was also a licensing committee member, said last week that neither the amount of applications nor emotion from the public would prevent an off-licence in Hawea opening.
"Fronting up with a whole lot of emotions is no good and it is not a numbers game either."
It was uncommon to have the public submit.
"If the submissions are applicable based on the Act, section 105 of the Act criteria, they will be considered."
Communities Against Alcohol Harm secretary Dr Grant Hewison took issue with Cr Cocks’ comments in the Otago Daily Times ahead of a hearing.
"He should not be making comments at all on licensing matters before him to the media.
"The comments ... made to the media appear to be prejudicial to the objectors and give the appearance of bias.
"He needs to step aside from the committee hearing this application and probably needs to consider whether he can remain a member at all".
Cr Cocks said yesterday he could see why Dr Hewison had "raised the issue" but added he had been on the committee a long time and all decisions were made on section 105 of the Act criteria, and there was no bias from himself or the licensing committee.
He said he would not voluntarily step aside from the hearing.
"I should never have commented. I was just trying to point out that all decisions will be made around the Act, and not the number of applicants."
Communities Against Alcohol Harm member and barrister Liz Gordon confirmed the group would be filing to the council to have Cr Cocks removed from the hearing panel.
A council spokesperson said the district licensing committee panel for the hearing had not been decided or a date set for the hearing.
However, Dr Hewison’s complaint continued.
He called for comments from two MPs, who entered the fray, to be withdrawn.
Yesterday both Waitaki MP Miles Anderson and Act New Zealand list MP Todd Stephenson stood by their comments — now with the backing of Mr Brown.
The MPs earlier had told HNZ to mind its own business on a hyper-local liquor licensing application.
Mr Stephenson, Act’s health spokesman, said HNZ’s submission was overreach.
Mr Anderson said HNZ could be using its time more efficiently.
In the submission, the HNZ medical officer of health said there were already three off-licences in Hāwea, the sale of RTDs and spirits could be harmful and the applicant was not suitable as they lacked knowledge of the local community.
Local youth wellbeing data consistently pointed to drinking, in particular binge drinking, as one of the biggest challenges facing young people in the Upper Clutha region, the submission said.
Opponents of the store said Lake Hawea was a family-friendly neighbourhood and the store would be in the "wrong location".
