Posted by Matthew Farrell
Residents who have already objected a planned pokie tavern in Omokoroa have until next Monday 14th January to advise the District Licensing Committee if they wish to be heard.
A hearing, open to the public, is due to be held at WBoPDC’s Barkes Corner head office on Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th January with a reserve day of Thursday 31st January, due to a large number of objectors potentially wanting to speak in support of their objections.
Those who signed a hurriedly-organised local petition are unable to speak to their objection. As I agreed to write the petition text at an informal meeting of Community Board attendees, I will request to talk to the committee about the petition submission.
You can read the remaining details of this full post at http://www.facebook.com/lizardnews or https://lizardnews.net/
Last year the District Council approved construction of a shed-style building at 168 Omokoroa Road, next to the medical complex and residential properties at the Victoria Key development.
Detailed architectural plans included a square TAB room with TV screens and a separate long, narrow room containing nine pokie machines.
KLM Enterprises subsequently dropped the word “Tavern” from the name of the proposed “Locals Bar and Eatery”. Lawyer Grant Hewison, recently engaged by Omokoroans, says a report from the Alcohol Inspector concluded the original application was for a tavern.
The applicant’s lawyer denies a TAB was ever proposed but says no firm decision has been made about gaming machines in the future.
Mr Hewison has requested a preliminary hearing on the basis that new evidence to hand has not been considered by the committee, such as Omokoroa Super Liquor’s licence suspension in September 2016 for selling to a minor. The businesses share a director.
Residents may wish to ask the Council to review its policy on gambling and to consider making gambling a discretionary activity, rather than a permitted activity in a commercial zone, under the District Plan.
Existing submitters can email the DLC at the following address, liquor.licence@westernbay.govt.nz
“