Alrighty, so Lisa Riley and her son were caught on camera near the proposed Super Liquor store in Lake Hāwea. The small township near Wānaka is up in arms about plans for its first standalone bottle shop. The Queenstown Lakes District Council gave the green light to a non-notified resource consent application for the store in the Longview subdivision earlier this month. Now, the retailer is looking to snag a liquor license.
Lisa Riley, who uprooted her family from Wellington to Lake Hāwea 18 months back, isn’t too thrilled about the store’s potential location. She’s concerned that it’s a stone’s throw away from a children’s playground and a school bus stop. Her son’s daily routine will be disrupted by the store’s close proximity, which could put him at risk. Lisa emphasized that her issue isn’t with alcohol sales in general, but rather how it could impact the safety of the neighborhood’s children.
Warren Chinn, a local, chimed in, stating that Lake Hāwea already has three establishments selling alcohol – Hāwea Store & Kitchen, Lake Hāwea Hotel, and Fresh Choice supermarket. He reckons there’s no need for another liquor store, especially since folks can easily hop over to Wānaka for their spirits. The public had until the 23rd of June to voice their objections to the liquor license application. Despite the backlash, the council maintains that the store complies with zoning regulations and planning rules.
Kim Knight, another resident, expressed surprise at the lack of public consultation regarding the resource consent. She questioned why the council didn’t seek community input on the types of shops and facilities needed in the area. Liz Gordon from Communities Against Alcohol Harm raised concerns about the potential increase in alcohol-related issues if the Super Liquor store comes to fruition. She fears more litter, harm, and disturbances, especially in a popular holiday spot like Lake Hāwea.
District councillor Cody Tucker, a local himself, acknowledged the community’s worries about the bottle shop’s proximity to the playground. He noted that commercial facilities have been on folks’ wish lists for a while now, and while the store’s arrival wasn’t unexpected, it’s still stirred up some emotions. Tucker highlighted the council’s duty to follow regulatory requirements and uphold its role as a consenting authority in a free market economy. So, the saga of the proposed Super Liquor store in Lake Hāwea continues, with residents and officials locked in a battle of perspectives and priorities.
