Alcohol licensing

The Invercargill District Licensing Committee is responsible for considering and determining licence applications, renewals, variations, suspensions and cancellations in accordance with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

It is also responsible for considering and determining applications for temporary authority and conducting inquiries and making reports to the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing

An Invercargill District Licensing Committee (DLC) has been formed as part of the new Act which is designed to ensure that the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol is undertaken safely and responsibly, and that the harm caused by excessive and inappropriate consumption of alcohol is minimised.

Local Alcohol Policy

A new Combined Local Alcohol Policy was adopted on 6 December 2019 and came into effect on 31 March 2020.

The policy covers Invercargill City Council and Southland District Council.

The policy will help inform the decisions of the District Licensing Committees on alcohol licences, provide guidance on whether they should be granted and the conditions that may be imposed.

Managers Certificate, Temporary On-Licence or Temporary Off Licence.

You are now able to lodge your application for a Managers Certificate, Temporary On-Licence or Temporary Off Licence.

You must first register yourself as a user of our electronic system (this only needs to be done once).

To become a registered user, follow this link.

We can’t generate an invoice for you to pay unless you are registered as a user.

If you are already a registered user apply for a licence (phone 211 1777 if you are unsure)

What does the DLC do?

The DLC function is to consider alcohol licensing matters within the Invercargill District. It decides on all applications and variations for uncontested licenses and certificates.
Uncontested matters will usually be heard by the DLC chairman. When there are objections to applications or variations they may be referred to a hearing before the DLC. A Hearing Committee will normally consist of the Chairperson and two Members. Any applicant dissatisfied with the decision or conditions of a licence or certificate has the right to request a hearing. Again, the Committee will be made up of a Chairperson and two Members.
The DLC will decide if special licenses can be varied, suspended or cancelled, and if other licenses can be varied. It will also refer matters to the District Licensing Authority (a higher governing body) if it considers that to be the right course of action.

Applications and fees

People applying for a special licence to sell alcohol now have to lodge their application at least 20 working days before the start of the special event. Council has to send all applications to the Police and the Medical Officer of Health giving them 15 days to respond. That leaves five days for Council staff to complete the application process.

Licensing application forms and information sheets
(For more information phone the District Licensing Committee Administrator on (03) 211 1777 or email dlc@icc.govt.nz)

Invercargill District Licensing Committee members

The Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council and Gore District Council recognise the benefits of working together and have appointed a number of members from all three Districts:

Chair: Cr Darren Ludlow

Members:

Cr Lesley Soper
Cr Ria Bond
Cr Peter Kett