A controversial application for a liquor store at lake Hāwea’s Longview subdivision has been approved, but those opposing it are already planning to appeal the decision.

The District Licensing Committee (DLC) has approved Keyrouz Holding Ltd’s alcohol licensing application for a 300sqm+ Super Liquor in Longview.

The not-yet-built liquor store will be able to operate from 9am-9pm, seven days a week, selling vape products, tobacco and other merchandise as well as alcohol.

Lisa Riley, the Longview resident who spearheaded opposition to the proposal, has already shared plans to lodge an appeal, saying the decision dismissed “the collective voice of the community”.

The DLC’s 22-page decision - made public this afternoon (Tuesday January 20) - said the prospective risk of alcohol harm specific to the application was “minimal”.

It referenced the “record high” of 542 objections received, but said most of them were “pre-formatted” with “no reference” to the criteria in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act.

“We found the evidential value of these submissions to be low…” the DLC said.

Hundreds of people from the small town of Lake Hāwea lodged objections to the application. PHOTO: Wānaka App

The DLC also claimed the Ministry of Health, which presented at a multi-day hearing in November, had been short on evidence.

“We…expected more specific and expert evidence and reasoning to support the proposition that this particular application would present a real risk of generalised harm occurring,” the decision said.

“No evidence was provided to show an increase in alcohol related harm or a deterioration of 15 amenity including litter, loitering or anti-social behaviour near other off licence premises in the area”.

The DLC - made up of commissioners Lyal Cocks, John Mann and Chris Cooney - said it accepted the submissions did “reflect the concern by many in the community”.

Keyrouz Holdings Ltd has “considerable experience” operating similar stores and the DLC was satisfied it would operate safely and responsibly.

Lisa said the appeal against the decision would focus on concerns the committee “discounted the scale of community opposition on technical grounds”, “marginalised public health evidence by requiring near-certainty of harm”, and failed to consider “future-focused risk”.

Read the full DLC decision here.