Councillors heard concerns from the hospitality industry about proposed alcohol licence fee increases at a Southland District Council alcohol licensing fee-setting bylaw hearing yesterday.
The proposed changes would mean a more than 50% increase in alcohol licensing fees for Southland hospitality businesses.
The council wants to revoke the 30% discount on annual government-set fees, increase all eligible alcohol licensing fees by 10% annually during the next two years, then 5% annually for three years after that.
Owner of the The Ranch Bar and Grill in Te Anau, Daniel Anderson said it was time the council had a look at its internal structure, citing difficulties in the process of obtaining a licence.
"We have to stop stifling the industry which has been plagued by a series of perfect storms ... hospitality is not a bottomless pit of money."
He suggested an alignment of licences to fit within a small window of time for necessary site visits.
Hospitality New Zealand regional manager Darelle Jenkins said there was a disappointing lack of transparency from the council on why costs had increased, how a deficit had occurred, and if all cost-saving mechanisms had been researched.
She said if a deficit had occurred due to council mismanagement, it should not be up to the licence-holders to cover.
Following the bylaw hearing, a second hearing was held on the council’s long-term plan.
The council received 255 submissions on the plan which included a rates increase.
Some residents, such as those in Ohai, would see their rates increase by 16%.
Nightcaps resident Ronald Baxter said he was lucky to be eligible for a rebate, otherwise he would not be able to pay his rates.
"There is a hell of a lot of people on the breadline below me."
Mr Baxter said the increase was unacceptable, and asked why, since the area’s properties had filled, rates had not gone down as they expected.
