And the proposed outlet could bring new alcohol-related harm to an area where access to police and healthcare services is not immediate, the national alcohol authority has also heard.
Lisa Riley, who spearheaded opposition to the planned Super Liquor store for Longview Dr last year, appealed the Queenstown Lakes District Licensing Committee approval of Keyrouz Holdings Ltd’s application in January.
This week, her lawyer Grant Hewison told Judge Robert Spear at an Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (Arla) hearing in Wānaka the committee’s decision to approve the outlet should be overturned.
‘‘The evidence is that the Longview subdivision now accommodates a substantial population, including younger families and a range of sensitive community facilities,’’ Mr Hewison said.
Factors such as the proximity to an under-construction Upper Clutha Presbyterian Church and a nearby playground were raised in his appeal.
Hāwea’s youthful population, and that population’s access to medical services and police ‘‘which are difficult services to access in this community, and the risk of alcohol-related harm to that community are factors of vulnerability’’, Mr Hewison said.
During the hearing, he brought forward new evidence regarding a purchase of land by the Ministry of Education for education purposes in Cemetery Rd.
‘‘In this case we submit that the appeal should be allowed and the application should be refused,’’ he said.
In response, the lawyer for Keyrouz Holdings Ltd, John Young argued it could not be said for certain a school would be built at the Cemetery Rd site.
‘‘It can’t be assured that the school will be developed on the site.
‘‘Just like any government agency, an acquisition of land is not determinative or conclusive of use,’’ he said.
‘‘Circumstances can change, and governments change, campaigns change, so there’s no certainty — just because that [land] has been acquired doesn’t mean it’s secure.’’
He also did not accept that the community lacked access to police or healthcare services.
‘‘Police did not share the same concern about access to policing,’’ Mr Young said.
‘‘In this matter the proposed premises is not near a school and is 200m away from a church, it also turns its back on the church and playground.
‘‘Off-licence products are not new to the community,’’ he said.
The district licensing committee approved the liquor store despite a record 542 public objections.
The Arla decision has been reserved.
In January, Ms Riley said the appeal was not about opposing business or development.
Rather, it was about ensuring that alcohol licensing decisions genuinely reflected community wellbeing, public health expertise and the realities of planning in new residential areas.
About 20 members of the public attended the hearing at the Lake Wānaka Centre.
