A total of 531 objections have been lodged over Super Liquor’s plans for a 300sqm+ liquor store in Lake Hāwea, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has confirmed.

The Super Liquor, billed for Lake Hāwea’s Longview subdivision, received resource consent approval a few months ago but it still needs to clear the hurdle of securing an alcohol licence.

The objections to its alcohol licence application have triggered a hearing, but QLDC says a date has not yet been set for it.

Lake Hāwea resident Lisa Riley, who has spearheaded community awareness of Super Liquor’s plans, said she was encouraged by the number of objections lodged during the objection period.

“The goal I was hoping for was 200 objections, which seemed achievable, given our population,” Lisa told the Wānaka App. 

“So to now have a result of 531 objections…it’s just amazing, and I am so thankful to all the individuals who took the time to have brave conversations with others, the volunteers who did mail drops, and everyone who made time to learn more about this.”

“Getting that many objections to this liquor licence really speaks to the strength and thoughtfulness of our community,” Lisa said. “People clearly care deeply about the character of Lake Hāwea and the wellbeing of its residents.”

Ahead of the hearing, Lisa said she is working with legal counsel to prepare evidence and is encouraging submitters to consider whether they’d like to speak at the hearing when the time comes.

“Something I’d love to see from council is a real effort to ensure the hearing is held in Hāwea itself, where people most directly affected can easily attend and be heard,” Lisa said. 

Lisa said she would also like to explore a Local Alcohol Policy - a set of rules managing the supply, sale and consumption of alcohol - for the district.

“It would give our communities a stronger voice upfront in shaping where and how alcohol is sold, rather than having to react to each new licence,” she said.

Alongside the objections, three letters in support of the application were received, QLDC confirmed.

A council spokesperson said the council did not plan to share any objections or letters publicly before the hearing.

“The District Licensing Committee will decide on the time of [the] hearing, and a notice of this will be placed on QLDC’s website once arranged,” they said.

PHOTO: Supplied