Posted by Murray Grainger
The process as I understand it is:
An application has been lodged for a restaurant/tavern with Gaming machines (pokies) and a TAB agency all operating seven days per week 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. the following day.
This application will be heard by the WBPDC Licensing Committee which is an independent chair and two WBPDC Councillors.
Anyone who has “an interest greater than the public” can object to all or part of the application. Such a person could be a neighbour, someone who works nearby, someone who works in the field of alcohol or drug addiction etc.
Objections must be lodged by Friday 20 July in writing posted to the Council or by email to premise@westernbay.govt.nz (Note: singular, not ‘premises’)
A copy of all objections will be forwarded to the applicant who may choose to proceed as is or modify the original application in response to the objections.
Any such change will be notified back to the objectors.
Finally there will be a public hearing to decide the outcome.
As regards the pokies, the application is for a Class 4 Gaming Venue which must be approved by WBPDC. If approved then an application is made to the Department of Internal Affairs. This is pretty much a rubber stamp of the Council decision.
Murray Grainger
