Public comment for WC Liquor Bill due 16 April
By Celeste Ganga
12 April 2008
Capetonians who are concerned about the uncontrollable growth in the approval of liquor licences have only a few days left to provide input on the revised Western Cape Liquor Bill that was published on 14 March 2008 for public comment.
Councillor Pieter van Dalen (Kuilsriver ward councillor) recently experienced how easily liquor licences can be approved. A liquor store was opened opposite a children’s play park in the residential area of Jagtershof.
“The Community is outraged that they were not properly consulted in the process. Even if the application was advertised in the Government Gazette, we can’t expect residents to know about such advertisements. Thorough consultation with the community, ward councillor and community police forums should have been done in this instance,” says van Dalen.
He is now on a mission to get the revised Bill amended in order to protect local communities. “Should the Bill be passed in its current form it would create serious issues for the social fabric of our residential areas”.
The City of Cape Town has set up a task team to create and put together a response to the content of the Bill. Chairperson of the team, Taki Amera – says there are various issues to be addressed in the proposed Bill. “The Bill provides for extended liquor trading hours. Bars and restaurants will be able to trade non-stop for 20 hours, from 8am the one day to 4am the next day. Bottle stores will be allowed to trade seven days a week from 8am to 8pm”.
Residents and community organisations can send their input to the Western Cape Provincial Parliament. They can be faxed to 021 487 1685 or e-mailed to nmanjesi@wcpp.gov.za for the attention of Ms N Manjesi.
The closing date for comment on the Bill is 16 April 2008
12 April 2008
Capetonians who are concerned about the uncontrollable growth in the approval of liquor licences have only a few days left to provide input on the revised Western Cape Liquor Bill that was published on 14 March 2008 for public comment.
Councillor Pieter van Dalen (Kuilsriver ward councillor) recently experienced how easily liquor licences can be approved. A liquor store was opened opposite a children’s play park in the residential area of Jagtershof.
“The Community is outraged that they were not properly consulted in the process. Even if the application was advertised in the Government Gazette, we can’t expect residents to know about such advertisements. Thorough consultation with the community, ward councillor and community police forums should have been done in this instance,” says van Dalen.
He is now on a mission to get the revised Bill amended in order to protect local communities. “Should the Bill be passed in its current form it would create serious issues for the social fabric of our residential areas”.
The City of Cape Town has set up a task team to create and put together a response to the content of the Bill. Chairperson of the team, Taki Amera – says there are various issues to be addressed in the proposed Bill. “The Bill provides for extended liquor trading hours. Bars and restaurants will be able to trade non-stop for 20 hours, from 8am the one day to 4am the next day. Bottle stores will be allowed to trade seven days a week from 8am to 8pm”.
Residents and community organisations can send their input to the Western Cape Provincial Parliament. They can be faxed to 021 487 1685 or e-mailed to nmanjesi@wcpp.gov.za for the attention of Ms N Manjesi.
The closing date for comment on the Bill is 16 April 2008
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