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Proposed new bottle store in Newtown...

Newtown community wins fight against bottle store
Monday 20 February

Media release by the Newtown Community & Cultural Centre

The director of “Vee’s Liquor Planet Ltd” has withdrawn his application for a liquor licence, after a record number of objections from the Newtown community.  

The District Licensing Agency received 111 formal objections, and a petition signed by 676 community members, opposing plans to open a new off-license liquor outlet directly opposite Newtown School.  

Objectors received letters informing them of the application’s withdrawal on Friday.  

“We’re absolutely delighted with the outcome,” says Newtown Community Centre Coordinator Anna Costley.  “It goes to show what can be achieved when a community rallies together.  

“We’re so proud of the Newtown community.”

Mr Luv Khattar, the store owner, is reported to have withdrawn his application due to a “crisis of conscience.”  

Newtown School Principal Rhys McKinley applauds Mr Khattar’s decision.  “The community spoke out strongly against the bottle store,” he says.  “Mr Khattar did the responsible thing by listening to the locals on this issue.”

“I hope that other schools are encouraged to get involved in this sort of work in their own communities.”

Councillor Paul Eagle congratulates the people of Newtown for standing up and saying no to more liquor stores. 

“This was a victory underpinned by a strong, community-led, grassroots campaign,” he says.  “I felt very proud to work alongside the Newtown community and to strongly advocate for them.” 

“The message is clear now for others wanting to do something similar – you’re not welcome in Newtown.”

Time Banking has arrived!

The Wellington South Time Bank has made it's new home in the Newtown Community Centre, and has already connected dozens of people all over the Wellington City region!

Time banking is the trading of skills within a community, using time rather than money, as the measurement tool (ie. I walk your dog, earning me a 'time credit' and then i 'spend' my time credit getting Bob to help me with my fence. Bob then spends the time credit he's earned to get Mary to babysit his kids. And so it goes..) As well as being a trading system, it can help to build new relationships, encourage local networking and give value to people's skills that we might not normally think twice about.

For more info on how time banking works, visit Lyttelton's Time Bank

To register your interest with the Wellington South Time Bank, either email the Hannah at wgtn.timebank@gmail.com or call her on 920 6708 (on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and she will be in touch to organise a time to meet and sign up as a member.

You can also join the Wellington South Time Bank facebook page found here

We are now on Facebook!

For daily updates on events and activities taking place at the community centre and in Newtown, find us at www.facebook.com/newtown.community.centre

The Newtown Community & Cultural Centre

Please do not hesitate to talk with us about how we may be able to support your group within the community!