"Yet another off-license liquor outlet opening in Mt Roskill is evidence that our call to re-introduce local liquor licensing trusts needs to be taken seriously", says Roskill Community Voice spokesperson Michael Wood. Roskill Community Voice is contesting the Puketapapa Local Board in the Supercity elections.
"Despite the fact that our community is struggling with a whole range of liquor-related problems, May Rd Liquor is being allowed to set up shop in a largely residential area. Local residents have contacted us to express their anger and concern", continues Wood.
"Residents, and Roskill Community Voice are angry that the community has not been consulted about this new bottle shop at all. The blame for that rests squarely with the current Auckland City Council, which specifically voted against local community consultation about off-licenses, four months ago.
"The current process freezes the local community out of having a say. Our proposal to re-establish local liquor licensing trusts would change that. Local communities would be able to elect representatives to manage liquor distribution in the community and to set policies in line with the communitys wishes.
"Mt Roskill has had enough of the failed free-market in liquor policy. The costs in our community are too high. Roskill Community Voice will keep up the fight for a local liquor licensing trust and will make it a priority if elected," concludes Wood.
ENDS
Showing posts with label Licensing Trusts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Licensing Trusts. Show all posts
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Media Statement: Bring back the Licensing Trusts
“It is time for alcohol in our community to be controlled by the community”, says Michael Wood a spokesperson for Roskill Community Voice, which is launching a policy to bring back community controlled liquor licensing trusts.
“Everyone is concerned about alcohol related problems in our community, but no one is taking decisive action. A big part of the problem is that local communities have very little say over alcohol issues in their own backyard”, continues Mr Wood.
“Licensing trusts are community controlled organisations that have authority to exercise control over liquor in a community. The people of the community elect and hold to account the elected trustees of the Trust. Any excess proceeds made by the Trust are put back into the community. This flow of funding could replace the money that is currently given to community groups by the scourge of pokies in our community”.
“Due to a law change in the 1990s, communities no longer have the right to establish licensing trusts. A Roskill Community Voice controlled Local Board will campaign for the re-establishment of modern Local Licensing Trusts where communities support them, and will seek the support of an MP to introduce legislation allowing for this. If successful we will go to the people of Mt Roskill to seek their approval for the establishment of a local trust”.
“The free market in liquor has failed, and it is time that local communities took some control back. Instead of looking for easy populist solutions like blaming young people for all of our liquor related problems, we need to give local communities the power to work out local solutions. We will be campaigning hard on this important policy”, concludes Mr Wood.
ENDS
“Everyone is concerned about alcohol related problems in our community, but no one is taking decisive action. A big part of the problem is that local communities have very little say over alcohol issues in their own backyard”, continues Mr Wood.
“Licensing trusts are community controlled organisations that have authority to exercise control over liquor in a community. The people of the community elect and hold to account the elected trustees of the Trust. Any excess proceeds made by the Trust are put back into the community. This flow of funding could replace the money that is currently given to community groups by the scourge of pokies in our community”.
“Due to a law change in the 1990s, communities no longer have the right to establish licensing trusts. A Roskill Community Voice controlled Local Board will campaign for the re-establishment of modern Local Licensing Trusts where communities support them, and will seek the support of an MP to introduce legislation allowing for this. If successful we will go to the people of Mt Roskill to seek their approval for the establishment of a local trust”.
“The free market in liquor has failed, and it is time that local communities took some control back. Instead of looking for easy populist solutions like blaming young people for all of our liquor related problems, we need to give local communities the power to work out local solutions. We will be campaigning hard on this important policy”, concludes Mr Wood.
ENDS
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