The District License Committee can expect a strong turnout at next month’s hearing, where it will consider objections to a proposed 300sqm+ Super Liquor in Hāwea’s Longview subdivision.

The hearing will run for three or four days from October 8 at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre, with some of the 542 people who lodged objections to the alcohol license application expected to speak in person.

Longview resident Lisa Riley, who has led community awareness around the proposal, is urging residents to stay engaged as the hearing approaches.

“A strong community presence sends a powerful message to the licensing committee,” she said.

Some of the collections from last weekend’s clean-up day in Lake Hāwea.

The volume and content of the hundreds of objections lodged on the application reflect deep local concerns, Lisa said.

“Placing a liquor store at the entrance to a family-focused neighbourhood risks normalising alcohol for our kids and creating issues our community isn’t equipped to manage,” she said.

“This isn’t about banning alcohol - many of us enjoy a drink responsibly. It’s about making smart planning decisions.”

The Super Liquor - which is billed to operate 12 hours a day, seven days a week - already has resource consent approval but it needs an alcohol license to operate.

Lisa said the store site sits outside the district’s alcohol-free area, meaning police would have no authority to stop public drinking unless another offence occurred.

“That’s a huge gap in community safety,” she said. “There is a real risk that people will gravitate towards the public seating and restrooms at the children’s playground and turn them into drinking spots.”

Other concerns raised by submitters included the proposed Super Liquor’s long hours of operation, potential cumulative effects of more alcohol provision, potential visual pollution and litter.

The hearing will open on Wednesday October 8 with the applicant presenting its case, and residents and reporting agencies will get the opportunity to speak the following day before closing arguments the day after.

Lisa said she aimed to make it “as easy as possible for people to participate.” 

“If you can’t attend in person, written evidence still counts. For support, email [email protected].”

PHOTOS: Supplied