Invercargill and Southland residents are encouraged to have their say on the Draft Combined Local Alcohol Policy, which is out for consultation now.

The policy, which is shared by Invercargill City and Southland District Councils, will replace the first Combined LAP that became operative in in 2016.

Invercargill City Council Acting Environmental Health Manager Michael Morris said the proposed changes to the LAP will add in provisions that were not included in the first LAP, or adapt those which have been found not to work so well in practice.

Mr Morris said it was important to note that the councils were not proposing any changes to the trading hours allowed under the policy.

Proposed changes include:

• Adding lodges and boats at Milford Sound (and other areas), theatres, caterers, function centres, and Cellar Door operators to the On-Licence section.
• Discretionary Conditions including:
  • Staffing- Changes to the Club premises (excluding chartered clubs) staffing requirements by only requiring a Manager on site for alcohol sales during higher risk periods. These periods will be determined by the committees.
  • Host Responsibility- To require the display of safe drinking messages and provide educational material.
• Adding in a further subsection to reflect other matters that encourage responsible sales, supply and consumption of alcohol.

Mr Morris said the two councils encouraged anyone who had an interest in the policy to make a submission.

“If you would like to see tighter controls on hours or fewer restrictions we need to hear from you,” he said.