By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
A CRANBOURNE local has taken the fight against a Dan Murphy’s super barn into his own hands and plans to present a petition of more than 2000 signatures to the State Government seeking urgent reform.
Casey Neighbourhood Watch president Rob Ward said the approval of a discount liquor store in Cranbourne East despite a chorus of objections from those in the know was “nonsensical.”
Mr Ward said the issue highlighted a flaw in liquor licensing legislation surrounding amenity.
“It’s been approved and the council’s hands are tied – it’s almost like a loophole in the law and it really ought to be fixed,” he said.
Mr Ward’s petition reads:
“Currently, the Liquor Control Commission does not have to take into consideration local family violence statistics when assessing applications, letting corporates like Woolies roll out its alcohol megastores at the expense of the communities it’s affecting.”
“If this was a restaurant that served alcohol it can assess amenity on its effect on the local area because alcohol is consumed on the premises but they can’t with a liquor barn,” he said.
Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Casey Council and public health experts all objected the super barn proposal, some linking the threat of alcohol fuelled family violence.
However the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation approved the proposal early last month.
At a recent council meeting, Casey mayor Sam Aziz said appealing the decision to the Supreme Court of Victoria would be futile “because no law had been broken.”
“Legislation does not allow taking into effect the risks and harm associated with liquor once it’s left the store,” Cr Aziz said.
“There’s no doubt Cranbourne is an area of high alcohol related crime and it’s critical we protect the community.”
Mr Ward had more than 1900 supporters sign his online petition in just two weeks and said it went wild in the first five days.
“In the long term the law needs to be changed and in the short term the relevant ministers can overrule to stop it,” Mr Ward said.
“Nobody’s saying you can’t have a drink, but how much is too much?”
“I’m going to set a deadline to the end of May and with those signatures will present the petition to the State Government.”
Casey Council will be appealing to the State Government for urgent reform of the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 to ensure it gives greater regard to alcohol harms, including family violence occurring in homes and private places.
A Dan Murphy’s outlet in the Hunt Club estate in Cranbourne East would add to 25 existing packaged liquor outlets within five kilometres.
To sign the petition for a review into liquor licensing, visit change.org.
