A bylaw being proposed by Auckland Council to tighten sale of alcohol in bars, bottle stores and supermarkets is being described as a backwards step.
A council committee is set to approve the draft proposal for public consultation on Tuesday.
The council wants city centre bars to close an hour earlier, at 3am, and those in the suburbs at 1am.
A bar in Ponsonby, a suburb which the proposed bylaw considers is in the CBD. Photo: AAP / SPQR
Bottle shops and supermarkets would only be allowed to sell alcohol between 9am and 10pm and there would be a two year freeze on any new off-licences opening in the CBD.
Councillor Cameron Brewer said cordoning off alcohol in supermarkets outside these hours penalised responsible drinkers.
He said it was also unfair that Parnell and Newmarket were not considered to be in the CBD, while Ponsonby was.
But committee chairman, councillor George Wood, said the aim was to reduce the harm caused by alcohol, and responsible bars could apply for an extension.
