The Queenstown Lakes District Licensing Committee (DLC) had their first day of discussions as part of a three-day hearing for a proposal of a Super Liquor store to open in the township.
The proposal attracted a record 538 opposing submissions. Lake Hāwea has a population of about 2300.
Gate Group chief executive Glen Christiansen, whose company runs five liquor stores across Otago and Southland, said a Lake Hāwea liquor store was not a question of if, but when.
"Lake Hāwea of today will not be the same in five or 10 years’ time.
"I do believe Lake Hāwea will get a bottle store at some point, and we are the suitable operator."
Many of the objections received cited the store’s proximity to homes, a playground, a planned school and the town’s existing alcohol outlets.
Mr Christiansen said the proposed Super Liquor would be one of the first businesses to be built in the empty commercial area in the Longview subdivision, which has more than 2400 sections available for development.
He said if granted, Super Liquor would be prominent in Longview Dr. However, eventually the proposed single-storey business would be hidden from view by bigger, surrounding commercial properties.
The Lake Hāwea population is expected to grow to about 7000 residents once all the large developments are finished.
Keyrouz Holdings Ltd director Alan McKay said he believed they would be able to work with the community to satisfy any disagreements with the proposed store.
Super Liquor could act as a "catalyst for growth", and could encourage more businesses to the area.
"It will go right smack bang in a commercial area — it takes some confidence to put a new business in a vacant paddock."
The hearing continues today.
