Tasman District Council has received two separate applications to open liquor stores on Ellis St, both within 150 metres of each other.
The first application was made on 5 October by S&P Legacy Limited, with a registered address in Appleby, to open a Bottle O Brightwater at Unit-3&4 38 Ellis Street, Brightwater.
The proposed opening hours are Monday to Sunday, 9am-9pm.
Submitters have 25 working days to make an objection, which needs to be done by Tuesday, 10 November.
The second application was made by a couple who live in Richmond who are proposing to open a Liquorland at 60 Ellis St at the Village Green, just down the road from the first applicant premises.
The opening hours are proposed to be Monday to Thursday, 10am to 7pm, Friday and Saturday, 10am to 7.30pm and Sunday 11am to 6pm.
The application was lodged on 13 October, with objections needing to be made by Wednesday, 18 November.
Between both store locations is roughly 130m, and in between them there are already two off licences.
Health Action Trust say they are supporting the Brightwater community to lodge objections to the two new off-licence applications currently being considered by council. The trust will also be submitting formal objections to both applications.
“We believe Brightwater is already well served by its two existing licensed premises, Four Square and Sprig + Fern. If both applications are approved, this small community would have four alcohol outlets located along the same street, within approximately 130 metres of each other,” a spokesperson for the trust says. “We, and others, in the Brightwater community consider this an excessive concentration of alcohol outlets for a community of this size.
“There is substantial research highlighting the harm associated with alcohol and the impact that increased alcohol availability can have on community health, safety and wellbeing. We are particularly concerned about the proposed locations, which are close to the village green and a kindergarten. These are areas regularly used by children, young people and whānau and we believe the introduction of further alcohol outlets is inappropriate in such a family-focused environment.”
Health Action Trust's position is grounded in our commitment to alcohol harm prevention, protecting the wellbeing of rangatahi and whānau, and supporting the Brightwater community to remain a safe, healthy and welcoming place for everyone.
To lodge a submission or find more information visit www.tasman.govt.nz/my-council/about-us/media-centre/alcohol-licensing-public-notices
