While alcohol licensing is guided by national legislation, there is opportunity for community needs and priorities to influence how alcohol is managed within their area.
One of the ways this happens is through a Local Alcohol Policy, or an LAP.
What’s a Local Alcohol Policy?
A Local Alcohol Policy, or LAP, is a policy developed by local councils that sets additional rules around alcohol availability within their council area.
While the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act provides the national framework for alcohol regulation, many decisions are made locally.
Every community is different. The challenges faced by communities in urban centres like Auckland or Wellington will likely be different to those experienced by rural towns. An LAP provides a way for councils to reflect these local realities in alcohol licensing decisions.
What can a LAP include?
LAPs can address a range of issues relating to alcohol availability, including:
- Trading hours for licensed premises
- The location of alcohol outlets
- The concentration or density of outlets in particular areas
- Restrictions around sensitive sites like schools, parks, places of worship, or marae
- Areas where new alcohol outlets are limited
The exact contents of an LAP vary between council areas depending on local needs, priorities, and evidence of alcohol-related harm.
Why do LAPs matter?
LAPs play a key role in shaping the environments we live, work, and socialise in. Think of an LAP as an additional layer of local decision-making. The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act provides the first rules of alcohol regulation, and LAPs provide an additional decision-making tool that addresses issues that may not be fully addressed in the Act alone.
We know that when alcohol is more readily available, people tend to drink more and experience more alcohol-related harm. Licensing decisions about where alcohol can be sold, how many outlets can operate within a given area, and how long they’re open for can have significant impacts on community wellbeing.
A strong LAP helps councils to take a proactive approach to reducing alcohol-related harm and contribute to creating healthier communities.
How LAPs are developed
Each Council has the opportunity to develop their own Local Alcohol Policy.
The Council will draft an LAP based on their understanding and existing knowledge of the community. They are then required to seek public consultation on the LAP – giving residents, hapū, community organisations, businesses, and health services an opportunity to share their perspectives.
Community feedback plays a crucial role in helping councils understand local realities and identify priorities that should be reflected in LAPs.
How do LAPs influence licensing decisions?
Once an LAP has been adopted, it becomes an important tool when alcohol licence applications are assessed.
When a business applies for a licence, decision-makers must consider the requirements of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act as well as any relevant provisions within the LAP.
Local Alcohol Policies are a key opportunity for communities to influence alcohol availability in their area. By participating in consultation processes, communities can ensure that local priorities and aspirations are reflected in alcohol licensing decisions.
LAPs allow communities to influence the local rules that shape alcohol availability within a given council area.