Plans have been proposed by Keyrouz Holdings Ltd for a 300sq m store in Hāwea’s Longview subdivision, which would operate 12 hours a day.
It has attracted a record 538 opposing submissions and two in support. Lake Hāwea has a population of about 2300.
Many of the submitters raised issues around the health concerns with alcohol, and possible effects on society.
Local Annemette Sorensen said alcohol was at the forefront of abuse and mental health cases.
"Alcohol plays a significant factor in partner violence ... it impairs rational reasoning and it disinhibits impulses which can manifest in violence or anger.
"People who have alcohol problems are often very stressed people. Alcohol numbs those stresses in the moment, but it can create another way of worsening those problems. Vulnerable people occur at all levels of society."
As a clinical psychologist support worker, Ms Sorensen said she saw the effects of alcohol on her clients "all the time".
"The sum of harm by alcohol outweighs all prohibited drugs, because it is so legal and prevalent."
Ms Sorensen said if there was to be a liquor store in Lake Hāwea, she proposed it should be of a moderate size in a carefully secluded location.
Limiting liquor outlets was relevant with regard to the Sale and Supply of Liquor Act, which stressed the community’s feedback had to be taken into consideration, she said.
"I see no demand from the community for this store. Please listen to what the community are saying about this.
"I’ve never heard anyone from Lake Hāwea asking for a bottle store."
A lifelong Lake Hāwea resident objected particularly to the sale of hard liquor at the proposed new bottle store in the township.
"We already have access to all the alcohol we need.
"You are very naive if you don’t think the older brother won’t buy something for the 14-year-old [from the store].
"The changes are quite shocking. Kids these days seem to have fewer limitations."
He was "terrified" of the possibility of a young person drowning while drunk one night.
"We have a community which looks after its children. Having a liquor store would not help that situation at all."
Submitter Cameron Riley said placing a liquor store near where minors reside was "not acceptable" and "incompatible".
There were already lots of reports of young people binge-drinking, he said.
"Increasing alcohol in the neighbourhood increases social harm ... this is not a hypothetical."
He assumed the company would want to extend the store in line with increased demand, which would lead to greater alcohol issues.
Teacher Tom Cull said he had witnessed the effects of alcohol on young people and did not want that harm to increase.
Hearings for the submissions began on November 12 and finished at the weekend.
