The Off-licence Accord is a written agreement between key partners across the Western Bay of Plenty.
It’s a non-regulatory and voluntary approach to promoting community safety through safer alcohol supply and consumption.
Council is a key partner of the Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty Off-Licence Alcohol Accord and Council acts as the Tauranga District Licensing Committee. The Accord has been in place since 2008 and has over 70 partners.
Alcohol accords can produce specific and significant improvements in public safety. There are wins all round - the licensees maintain trade by keeping customers safe and satisfied and the community, regulatory and welfare agencies face fewer costs caused by the misuse of alcohol.
Off-licence Accord partners include:
- off-licence liquor businesses (alcohol retailers, including supermarkets)
- government, regulatory and welfare agencies (police, local authorities, licensing authorities, health sector agencies)
- community (safer community councils, residents, local iwi, interested community groups).
The Off-Licence Accord is an excellent way of keeping in touch with off-licence holders in the city as well as other key partners. It means as a group we can talk about how to keep people in our community safe from alcohol misuse and devise safety strategies that suit all parties.
Benefits to licensees
Partners of the Off-licence Accord get benefit from:
- improved compliance with legislative requirements
- improved image of alcohol retailers and the opportunity for positive marketing opportunities within the spirit of the Accord
- building a working relationship and trust of Police, local DLA and other regulatory agencies
- providing a forum for issues specific to off-licence retailing, with key local industry, regulatory and community stakeholders
- planning for special events.
Benefits for the community
The benefits for the community include:
- improved community safety and the perception of safety in the Accord areas
- reduced access to alcohol for underage and intoxicated persons
- reduced alcohol-related harm, disorder and anti-social behaviour
- decreased costs associated with alcohol-related crime (assaults, drink driving, property damage, etc), providing health care to those hurt as a result of alcohol-related incidents.
If you are interested in joining the Off-Licence Accord contact Council.