By Janika Ter Ellen
More than 100 people have marched in Porirua against a liquor store across the road from a local school.
The Alcohol Licensing Authority is hearing submissions today on whether the Fan Time Liquor Store in Cannons Creek will be able to renew its license.
The community don’t want to liquor store re-licensed; it’s open till midnight and across the road from a school.
“We are tired of the impact of the bottle store,” says protest organiser Matt Crawshaw.
The Salvation Army has a safe hours just minutes walk away, hoem to some who are waiting for places in rehab facilities.
The group marched to court where the Alcohol Licensing Authority will hear submissions on the store’s license.
Police have joined the chorus of opposition, saying the store has been caught twice selling alcohol to minors.
But Cannons Creek isn’t alone; other communities want to limit the impact of similar stores.
The passing of the Alcohol Law Reform Bill will give communities more power to argue against liquor licences based on the number of outlets in an area or their location.
The Drug Foundation says that is crucial and hopes the new National Government won’t drop the ball.
“In the last term of Parliament, the Alcohol Law Reform Bill was really pushed by the Justice Minister Simon Power and he has left. We’re really hoping the new minister will make alcohol a priority,” says spokesman Ross Bell.
It’s a sentiment shared in Cannons Creek.
3 News