The tense relationship between police, liquor licensing officials and Cambridge Raceway over the drunken behaviour of patrons two years ago was laid bare at a hearing this week.
Cambridge Raceway operations manager Michelle Thomson, right, gives evidence to the Waipā District Licensing Committee with from left Senior Sergeant David Hall, Waipā licensing inspector Glynn Jones, administrator Nola Stannard and Compliance manager Karl Tutty, commissioners Michael Cameron, Tegan McIntyre, Marcus Gower, Raceway chief executive Dave Branch (partially obscured), solicitor Anna Suckling. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
At stake is the renewal of the trotting company’s on licence and its extension into a grassed area at its Taylor Street premises, something the police, Medical Officer of Health and Waipa licensing inspectors oppose.
Health officials were a no show at the two-day hearing, but senior sergeant David Hall used the Night of Champions event on April 14, 2023, to illustrate why police think the company was an unsuitable candidate.
Two patrons were removed and 10 arrests made for fighting, disorderly and threatening behaviour.
Chief executive Dave Branch argued changes made by the Raceway last year, including boosted security and bringing in an independent company to run the general admission areas, demonstrated responsibility and supported a finding of suitability.
Part of the 3000-strong crowd at Night of Champions in 2023. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The hearing was ongoing as The News went to press and a decision is not expected in time for a special licence hearing next week for the Night of Champions event on April 4.
Counsel Murray Branch said the police did not oppose a special licence for last year’s event which suggested they accepted the six changes the Raceway made after 2023.
They included bringing in caterers Montana so the Raceway could concentrate on the grandstand bars, had no age concession tickets, implemented a liquor ban area, introduced an intoxication review, trespassed a known troublemaker and agreed all measures with agencies.
Murray Branch, a consultant for Harkness Henry and Dave Branch’s father, criticised the police response to the 2023 event, arguing that penalising Cambridge Raceway by cancelling its license would put the business and community facility at risk.
Police also criticised the behaviour of patrons at the now defunct Harness Jewels event in 2021. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
He suggested Waipā District Council inspectors sent “misinformation” to agencies like the police and Ministry of Health.
“What seems to be ignored is that the people who caused the trouble chose to act in the way that they did,” he said of the 2023 event. “The police response to these actions is to not prosecute but rather seek to severely penalise Cambridge Raceway.”
Raceway Operations manager Michelle Thomson provided evidence of the regular training on liquor responsibility and debrief sessions held after events. Much had changed since 2023; she told the hearing.
Dave Branch said trust between the Raceway and agencies had eroded. That was shown during a testy exchange with licensing inspector Glynn Jones at the end of day one when Jones asked whether Raceway staff were successful in preventing incidents in 2023.
“We knew there were changes which needed to be made and we’ve done that,” said Branch.
Cambridge Raceway manager Dave Branch.
The licensing agency wants several conditions imposed if a new on license is granted. They include Raceway staff making daily swoops around the neighbourhood looking for rubbish, noise and alcohol management plans be added as conditions and the grandstand have a different designation depending on the type of activity.
Cambridge Business Chamber chief executive Kelly Bouzaid provided a testimonial to the hearing saying the Raceway drove significant economic activity for local business from hospitality and accommodation providers to retail and service industries.
Police senior sergeant David Hall asks questions. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
