QLDC stands by councillor in spite of calls for him to step down

The QLDC, deciding on a heavily-opposed application for a new Hāwea liquor store, says one of the committee members involved does not need to resign, despite comments an advocacy group says show a predetermined position.

Queenstown Lakes District Council received an application for a liquor store in Lake Hāwea. If successful, the store would be the first stand-alone liquor store in the town.

The liquor license application received a record-breaking 538 submissions in opposition and two in support with Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora submitting against the proposal.

Councillor Lyal Cocks is one of six members of the District Licensing Committee which makes decisions on alcohol licenses.

Last month, Cocks told the Wānaka Sun that neither the number of applications nor emotion from the public would prevent an off-license in Hawea opening. He said it was more uncommon for the general public to submit against liquor stores than Health NZ.

"If the submissions are applicable based on the Act, section 105 of the Act criteria, they will be considered.

"Fronting up with a whole lot of emotions is no good and it is not a numbers game either."

Following the comments Communities Against Alcohol Harm secretary Dr Grant Hewison called for Cocks to step aside from participating in this particular licensing decision, saying the comments showed bias and predetermination.

A QLDC spokesperson said in the council’s view, Cocks was simply noting the committee’s role.

"In our view, Cr Lyal Cocks was reflecting what the licensing committee can and can’t consider under the Act. He has made no specific predetermined comment about this particular application. Based on his comments there is no requirement for him to resign as he is just noting the role of the committee."

The committee makes decisions based on the criteria outlined in section 105 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

One criterion is whether, in the opinion of the committee, amenity and good order would be reduced by the effects of the license.

Cocks would not comment on the issue to Crux, but previously told the Wānaka Sun that while he should not have commented, he would not voluntarily step aside from the hearing.

He said he was simply pointing out decisions would be made based on the criteria within the act, not the number of submissions.

The company behind the application, Keyrouz Holdings Ltd, operated Super Liquor franchises in Cromwell, Alexandra, Wānaka, Remarkables Park in Queenstown, and Lorneville near Invercargill and owned the Five Stags restaurant and The Gate Hotel in Cromwell.