By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
CASEY is ranked number one in the state for family violence offences involving alcohol and its most reported hotspot, Cranbourne East, has been approved for a Dan Murphy’s super barn, amid a long-term battle to stop it.
The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) over-ruled objections, on public-harm grounds, from Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Casey Council and public health experts.
But the Cranbourne East community is divided on the issue, despite Mayor Sam Aziz calling those who support the Linsdell Boulevard bargain store, “intellectually poor”.
“If you’re looking at diversity of venues alone, there are already 70 outlets in Casey,” Cr Aziz said.
“It’s not like we’re deprived of obtaining a legal product.
“We just don’t need any more, especially in Cranbourne East, which has the highest incidence of family violence in the City of Casey.”
Recently revealed as Australia’s largest growing suburb by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Cranbourne East was reported to have grown by 88 people per week last financial year.
And the high number of family violence police callouts in Cranbourne East, puts it in the top one per cent for metro Melbourne.
However some locals have dismissed the alcohol link to family violence saying, “if they don’t buy it at Dan Murphy’s, they’ll go down the road and buy it elsewhere.”
Cranbourne East resident, Terry Gentle has welcomed the outcome by the VCGLR, saying he will be a customer once it opens.
“I was disappointed it hasn’t gone up sooner,” he told Star News.
“I think it should go ahead, I feel that even though we have a lot of liquor outlets Dan Murphy’s specialises in a huge range which is also important. They offer a good range, good price and they’re a good operational store,” Mr Gentle said.
Since the decision was made by the VCGLR Cr Aziz has called for reform of the state’s Liquor Licensing Act to put more weight on social harms such as family violence.
Cr Aziz said: “The recent Royal Commission (into family violence) established a strong link between alcohol and family violence.”
In response, the 75-year-old said: “I don’t think a Dan Murphy’s here will make one iota of difference to family violence – if they want booze they’ll get it.”
Local florist Lisa Reid from Cranbourne East, echoed Mr Gentle’s sentiments saying, jobs and competition will be healthy for the area.
“For me it’s not a huge issue, I haven’t nor do I know anyone in the area affected by family violence but if they want to drink they’ll get it somewhere,” the 34-year-old said.
Long-term Casey residents Wendy and Dixon Kenney have opposed the Dan Murphy’s site for 16 months, saying “alcohol breaks up families”.
“We tried to support stopping the super barn because we believe if the police are against it, they’ve got good reason to be,” Ms Kenney, 72, said.
“Because they are the ones that have to go and pick up all the mess, between youth suicide and youth uselessness, addiction and family violence I think we should take on board what the police say.
“Casey has a huge suicide rate amongst children and the property market is booming we have to stop and care and get back to reality.”
Mr Kenney, 77, said the price is what bothers him the most.
“Dan Murphy’s is almost a discount liquor store, so it’s going to be cheaper to get more and it’s easily available,” he said.
Hunt Club resident Jaswinder Bains fears the repercussions of the liquor outlet on the community in 10 years’ time.
“I believe this is going to be wasted community space,” Mr Bains, 36, said.
“That land could be utilised for something better, like a health, wellbeing or community centre, something which impacts the community in a positive way rather than people spending their money on alcohol,” he said.
“I think a chain company like Dan Murphy’s which is providing much more variety in one store will negatively affect the health of the community in the long run.”
Sergeant Ian Lane from the Casey Family Violence Unit (CFVU), was reported in The Age saying that family violence offences involving alcohol usually stemmed from consuming drink inside of the home.
Vehemently backing concerns from Victoria Police and local officers, Cr Aziz said the council would consider appealing against the decision within the 28-day cut-off – after weighing up the financial cost with its “absolute responsibility to protect our community from harm”.
Do you support a Dan Murphy’s super barn in Cranbourne East?
