Lodging an Objection
To object to an alcohol licence application, you need to have a ‘greater interest than the general public’. You have 'greater interest' if you are likely to be more affected by the licence than most other people. For example, if you live in the same street as the proposed licensed premises you could be in a position of greater interest, compared with someone who lives 10km away and has general concerns about the effects of alcohol on the community.
Your objection must be in writing and must be filed with the Council within 15 working days after the date of the first newspaper notice. Objections can be filed by post, email, or in person.
Your letter of objection must include:
- The name and location of the licensed premises or proposed premises.
- Why you consider you have an interest that is greater than the general public.
- Your grounds for objection.
- Your signature.
- Your name, address and contact details including phone number.
Criteria for objections
If you want to object to an alcohol licence application, you must be in a position of 'greater interest' than the general public.
Greater interest criteria
You have 'greater interest' if you are likely to be more affected by the licence than most other people. For example, if you live in the same street as the proposed licensed premises you could be in a position of greater interest, compared with someone who lives 10km away and has general concerns about the effects of alcohol on the community.
The following may be grounds for objection:
- Suitability of the applicant.
- Days and hours alcohol is proposed to be sold.
- Days and hours the club premises will be used for club activities.
- Proposed designation of the premises (whether minors will be allowed on the premises).
- Lack of enforcement for the minimum age requirements.
- Lack of non-alcoholic refreshments and/or availability of food.
- The sale and supply of goods and services other than alcohol or food.
- Whether the application meets the object of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 (to minimise the negative impacts of alcohol on the community).
- The design and layout of any proposed premises.
- Whether the "amenity and good order of the locality" would be reduced by more than a minor extent.
- Whether the "amenity and good order of the locality" is already badly impacted by existing alcohol licences.
- Whether the applicant has capable, well trained staff and good systems in place to meet their responsibilities when supplying alcohol.