Objection Criteria

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.

What you may object to

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.

Note: Where the application is for a licence the same kind as currently in force with the same conditions sought, the only grounds for objection is the suitability of the applicant.

When the alcohol licence application is considered to impact on the "amenity and good order of the locality", the DLC will take into account additional elements such as:

• noise levels (relating to the licensed premises).
• nuisance and vandalism (eg wilful damage, graffiti and crime).
• the number and types of licensed premises in an area.
• community, educational or other facilities in the vicinity of the proposed licensed premises.