High cost of booze

By Jade Lawton
BERWICK’S thriving nightlife and sporting clubs are feeling the pinch from increased liquor licensing fees, which have jumped as much as 1000 per cent in the past three years.
Ben D’Abaco, proprietor of Beno’s Lava Lounge and The Mexican House, said his business had been lumped in the same category as King Street nightclubs under the State Government’s new risk-based fees.
And the Berwick Bowls Club has seen its liquor licence charges increase tenfold, from about $35 to $397.
The Bowling Club’s Rhys Ford said bowlers mostly enjoyed one or two quiet drinks and posed no risk.
“It does put on the pressure … membership fees have gone up – you’re dealing with older people, who might already be struggling on the pension,” he said.
Mr Ford said the bowls club hosted ‘the occasional function’ but never operated past midnight.
Mr D’Abaco said Beno’s Lava Lounge, which closes at 2am, employed more security than necessary and rarely had any issues – the only incidents usually being drunks on the street that had come from other venues or house parties.
“The ratio of people to security should be increased. I put on extra guards, to have a safe venue. But venues need to be held accountable,” Mr D’Abaco said.
“It has to be adaptable for every business – not one size fits all. I don’t blame local law, but it’s all over the shop, no consistency.”
Eastern Victoria MP Edward O’Donohue said he and Liberal candidate for Gembrook, Brad Battin, had also met with local football clubs that were struggling with the fees.
“That takes money away that they could use on pavilions, footy ovals as needed,” Mr O’Donohue said.
Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs, Michael O’Brien, said licensing revenue had increased from $10 million to $35 million, with little community benefit.
“They’ve introduced civilian compliance inspectors, who are bureaucrats with biros when what people want are cops with cuffs. They can issue fines to licensees but they can’t arrest people on the street,” he said.
“And sporting clubs bind the community together – they are not hotbeds of violence.”
The State Government could not respond before going to press.