Pt Chevalier residents oppose liquor outlet

Wednesday, 30 August 2017

Pt Chevalier residents are opposing another liquor outlet wanting to open in the suburb.

An Auckland business is opening its second controversial suburban liquor shop in as many years.

Sai Krishna Sai plans to open Pt Chev Organic Wines on 196 Pt Chevalier Rd, a suburb which already has three bottle shops and a Countdown supermarket selling alcohol.

In 2016 an application by Sai Krishna to the Auckland District Licensing Committee to open bottle shop at 527 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn was met with resistance from the community.

However, appeals by the community were unsuccessful and the directors, who listed the company under Durga Sai Holding, were granted the application.

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The planned Grey Lynn bottle store took the total number of liquor stores in the suburb to nine.

Now Sai Krishna Sai's latest venture in Pt Chevalier is also being met with public opposition.

Pt Chevalier already has four liquor outlets in the area including two in the nearby shopping centre on Great North Rd, another one a couple of blocks down and the Countdown supermarket 700 metres away from the proposed new shop.

Local residents expressed their concerns on social media website Neighbourly.

Angel Joseph-Gordon lived in Western Springs but walked to Pt Chevalier regularly.

'From my view, alcohol has already spoiled Pt Chev, but one more bottle store will make it worse,' Joseph-Gordon said.

Residents Sunee Toiting, Jono Orlowski and Adrienne 'Apikotaoa were all against the liquor shop opening too.

'We don't need any more liquor stores,' 'Apikotaoa said.

Long-time Pt Chevalier resident Graeme Keli Bickerton told Stuff in March, there had been an increase in 'vagrants and beggars' in the area and outside the Countdown supermarket.

'The thugs are intimidating and the area is pretty rife with drunks, but it's everywhere and definitely affecting the community,' he said.

Pt Chevalier resident Juli Cooke said she was concerned about the children at the nearby schools.

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 requires each licence application to be looked into by police, a licensing inspector and a medical officer of health.

Auckland Council alcohol licensing manager Rob Abbott said there had been 12 objections from local residents so far.

Council is in the process of finalising plans to restrict the availability of alcohol in Auckland areas at most risk from alcohol related harm. These are identified in 23 priority areas across Auckland.

The plan includes a two year freeze on any new liquor outlets in the city centre and the 23 priority areas. After two years, there will be a higher threshold to meet before new outlets can open.

There are still several steps to be made before the policies are in force.