Have a say on pubs, pokies
Waikato district residents are being invited to share their views on alcohol licensing and gambling to help develop council policies on the issues.
The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act gives councils the opportunity to adopt a local policy covering licensed premises such as pubs, hotels, restaurants, liquor stores, clubs, supermarkets, grocery shops and function centres.
The review of gambling policies seeks views on how many gambling venues and pokie machines should be permitted, where they should be located, and general views on gambling.
The survey on alcohol asks questions about the location, numbers of and opening hours of places which sell alcohol.
The current Gambling and TAB Board Venues Policies are being reviewed as part of a three-yearly review cycle. The council is looking to adopt a single policy for the Waikato district to replace two existing policies which cover the former Waikato and Franklin districts.
Feedback from the surveys, which need to be in by July 29, will be used to formulate the two new policies which, once drafted with input from the mayor and councillors, will be formally consulted on with the community.
Waikato Mayor Allan Sanson says its important people have their say.
“Alcohol and gambling are significant issues for all communities and it’s important residents share their views with council as we formulate policies on these. I invite residents to share their views either online or by filling in hard copy survey forms and we will take these into account in developing the new policies.”
Click the following links to download the feedback forms (pdf): Local Alcohol Policy Survey
Gambling and TAB Board Survey
The surveys are also available online here on the Waikato Distict Council website.
They can also be found in hard copy at all council offices and libraries.
The closing date for survey responses is Monday July 29. Formal community consultation on the gambling policy will take place later this year, and early next year on the alcohol policy.
