Subcouncil resolution details

Subcouncil 4

Agenda item no

04SUB 11/9/2024

Subject

APPLICATION FOR THE RENEWAL OF EXTENDED LIQUOR TRADING HOURS: FOR OFF-CONSUMPTION PREMISES MONDAY TO SATURDAY (18:00 TO 20:00) TRADING IN RESPECT OF WARD 25: 5TH AVENUE LIQUOR STORE – WCP/037416

Meeting date

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Resolution

Refused

Date closed

Monday, September 30, 2024

Resolution detail

That the application for the renewal of extended trading hours (off-consumption) submitted by 5^th Avenue Liquor Store, 61 5^th Avenue, Ravensmead NOT BE APPROVED for the following reasons:

The liquor store is located close to public amenities.

Play Park: Children in the area often use the play park for recreational purposes. Having a liquor store with extended operating hours would not only make children further susceptible to potential violence that is often associated with alcohol consumption, but it also presents a negative example to our youth.
Church: The extension of liquor trading hours would invariably affect the operations of- other establishments, particularly churches that are located close to the liquor store in question. In addition, churches are places of faith, which, in law, must be respected.
Primary School: Webner Primary School is located just a stone’s throw away from the liquor store; the extended operating hours would make children susceptible to potential violence that is often associated with alcohol and present a negative example to our youth. The Ward Councillor indicated that she had to host engagements with the SAPS due to young minor violent youth members who attacked learners, teachers, and parents.
It is clear that the location of the liquor store and its palpable threat to peace and stability in the community and particularly to the youth that it is not in the public interest to support the application, therefore the application cannot be supported.
The socio-economic realities and the erosion of common morality caused in part by the extended sale and consumption of alcohol will be at risk of worsening.
The social impact of increased alcohol consumption in the Ravensmead community is too great to quantify. Parents who abuse alcohol often do not care for their children. As a result, the children are not motivated to go to school, and they are taken care of through community-based initiatives such as feeding schemes. The parental gap often traps children in a poverty cycle, which in part, has its roots in extended access to and the consumption of alcohol. An application to support the extended trading outlet application will exacerbate these crippling challenges.
Crime is another factor to consider that is in part, fueled by access to and the consumption of alcohol. Criminal incidents such as alcohol-related homicides, accidents caused by drinking and driving, etc. all stand to worsen if the application for the outlet in question is granted.
The business is located near the Oasis Home for the Disabled and mentally challenged persons.