There's been record-breaking community backlash to a proposed liquor store, in the small Central Otago town of Lake Hawea

The ODT reports there have been 538 submissions opposing the first standalone liquor store in the town, with a population of two-thousand three-hundred.

Resident and community spokeswoman Lisa Riley says the response reflects deep public concern.

She says locals are worried placing the Super Liquor at the entrance to a family-focused neighbourhood will normalise alcohol for kids and risk public seating and toilets at the children's playground, being used as drinking spots.

A three-day hearing's been scheduled for next month.