31 Oct 2013

School denied beer and wine at fair

9:00 pm on 31 October 2013

A Dunedin City Council panel has turned down a liquor licence for a beer and wine tent at a school fair.

A hearing was held on Thursday morning after the Medical Officer of Health used a new alcohol law for the first time to oppose the fair's liquor licence.

Members of the panel discuss the issue on Thursday.

Members of the panel discuss the issue on Thursday. Photo: RNZ

Elmgrove School in Mosgiel told the panel that its refreshments tent at the fair this Saturday evening would be a discreet and well supervised way to attract more fathers and fundraise an extra few thousand dollars.

The school said no children would be allowed in the tent, which would help model positive drinking attitudes.

However, public health doctor Keith Reid objected, saying a new act effective from June this year is meant to restrict children's exposure to alcohol and the use of beer and wine to attract more fathers is inappropriate. He told the hearing it was Parliament's clear intention to change New Zealand's drinking culture.

Police and a liquor licensing inspector supported the health board's stand on moral grounds.

The panel said it rejected the special licence because the evidence presented was overwhelming. It said the new legislation gives a clear indication that there should be greater restrictions on where and when alcohol should be sold.

Elmgrove School principal Jenny McDonald says the refreshments tent was going to be a safe and well-supervised opportunity for people to learn the correct way to conduct themselves with food and drink.

Ms McDonald says the school will abide by the council's decision, but it has big implications for other community events.