Alcohol Fees Bylaw
Consultation has concluded, we'll analyse the results and update the proposal.
The Alcohol Fees Bylaw allows Council to set prescribed alcohol licensing fees. Any organisation that wants a license for the sale and supply of alcohol in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt will pay fees for that application.
The Alcohol Fees Bylaw adopted in 2019 aimed to recover 90% of all costs associated with alcohol-related work undertaken by Hutt City Council such as maintaining licensing application processes, alcohol licence monitoring and enforcement duties, and activities of the District Licensing Committee.
A cost recovery of 93% was achieved in 2022/23 financial year but will not be achieved in 2023/24 or 2024/25, due to the need to review the bylaw before further increases can be made. The remaining costs are covered by Hutt City Council rates.
Through the 2024-2034 Long-Term Plan process, Hutt City Council has increased the projected annual alcohol licensing revenue in line with Consumer Price Index increases. This means that fees will need to increase.
What are we proposing?
We have reviewed the fee settings in the bylaw and would like feedback on two options:
- Option 1: 90% cost recovery with the remainder covered by rates; or
- Option 2: 100% cost recovery.
Option 1 – 90% recovery of costs
Risk Category for on-, off- and club licence | Current application fee | Proposed Increase | New Fee 25/26 |
Very Low | $699.20 | 20% | $840 |
Low | $1,158.05 | 30% | $1,505 |
Medium | $1,531.35 | 40% | $2,143 |
High | $1,944.65 | 50% | $2,916 |
Very High | $2,294.25 | 60% | $3,670 |
Risk Category for on-, off- and club licence | Current annual fee | Proposed increase | New Fee 25/26 |
Very Low | $305.90 | 20% | $367 |
Low | $742.90 | 30% | $965 |
Medium | $1201.75 | 40% | $1,682 |
High | $1966.5 | 50% | $2,949 |
Very High | $2731.25 | 60% | $4,370 |
Special licences | Current application fee | Proposed increase | New Fee 25/26 |
Special Class 1 | $1092.5 | 60% | $1,748 |
Special Class 2 | $393.3 | 50% | $589 |
Special Class 3 | $120.15 | 10% | $132 |
Other | Current other fees | Proposed increase | New Fee 25/26 |
Temp Authority | Application fee $563.75 | 40% | $789 |
Permanent Chartered Club | Annual fee $632.5 | 20% | $759 |
Option 2 – 100% recovery of costs
Risk Category On- and off- and club licences | Current application fee | Proposed Increase | New Fee 25/26 |
Very Low | $699.20 | 40% | $979 |
Low | $1,158.05 | 50% | $1,737 |
Medium | $1,531.35 | 60% | $2,450 |
High | $1,944.65 | 70% | $3,306 |
Very High | $2,294.25 | 80% | $4,130 |
Risk Category On- and off- and club licences | Current Annual Fee | Proposed Increase | New Fee 25/26 |
Very Low | $305.90 | 40% | $428 |
Low | $742.90 | 50% | $1,114 |
Medium | $1201.75 | 60% | $1,923 |
High | $1966.5 | 70% | $3,343 |
Very High | $2731.25 | 80% | $4,916 |
Special licences | Current Application fee | Proposed Increase | New Fee 25/26 |
Special Class 1 | $1092.5 | 80% | $1,967 |
Special Class 2 | $393.3 | 70% | $669 |
Special Class 3 | $120.15 | 20% | $144 |
Other | Current other fees | Proposed Increase | New Fee 25/26 |
Temporary Authority | Application fee $563.75 | 40% | $789 |
Permanent Chartered Club | Annual fee $632.5 | 20% | $759 |
The fees adjustment would commence on 1 July 2025, with a further proposed fee increase of 3% each following year across the risk categories until 2035.
An increase of 3% each year achieves the previously desired 90% cost recovery, however only the 100% cost recovery option will achieve Long Term Plan projected revenue.
How to have your say
You can provide feedback in multiple ways:
- Make an online submission using the survey below.
- Email your submission to alcohol.feedback@huttcity.govt.nz with ‘Alcohol Fees Bylaw’ in the email subject line.
- Drop off a submission at the front counter at our office at 30 Laings Rd.
Consultation closes 5pm Sunday 25 August 2024
