By ANEEKA SIMONIS
LINKS between alcohol consumption and increased levels of crime such as domestic violence were cited by Cardinia Shire councillors who last week rejected a bottle-shop permit in Beaconsfield.
An application for a pre-packed liquor store at 1/55 Old Princes Highway was heard at a town planning meeting on Monday 4 May.
Councillor Brett Owen, who is also a Leading Senior Constable, said Beaconsfield already had a number of liquor stores in the area, and increasing access to alcohol has a proven risk on crime rates, antisocial behaviour and mental well-being.
“Research undertaken shows there is a strong link between alcohol consumption, crime rates and increases in family violence and antisocial behaviour,” he said.
“There are a growing number of young people in our area that are vulnerable to the harms of excessive alcohol consumption with increasing levels of mental health issues and suicide.”
The liquor store application received 59 objections from locals.
Councillor Tania Baxter, who also rejected the proposal, said a large portion of objectors worked in the medical industry including doctors and paramedics and have firsthand experience with the dangers of alcohol.
One objection from an unidentified medical worker claimed 60 per cent of the cases attended in the local area were alcohol-related including domestic violence, mental health episodes, motor vehicle accidents and alcohol poisoning.
Local resident Tammy Brisbane commended council for their community-conscious decision.
“Beaconsfield doesn’t need another liquor store, it’s such a small town,” she said.
It may be a growing community, but I get angry cause popular TV shows are showing teenagers and young adults drinking and abusing alcohol to hide their emotions.”
Currently, there are four pre-packaged alcohol providers in the area with a fifth application being seen by council.
Though the application was rejected by council, it did get the tick of approval from council’s planning department.
The report signed off by council’s Planning and Development general manager Phil Walton deemed the location appropriate for the proposed bottle-shop as the consumption of alcohol is not intended to occur on site.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) states that councils cannot consider matters of abuse or misuse of alcohol in relation to planning applications for licensed premises.
Councillors also cited a lack of surveillance opportunities and excessive opening hours when rejecting the application.
Though he did not wish to comment on the specific application, Pakenham police’s Senior Sergeant Graeme Stanley said reducing the supply of alcohol in the area was a good thing for social behaviour.
“I think there needs to be a limit to the amount of alcohol available in small towns. Restricting the supply can help monitoring certain behaviours,” he said.
Cr Owen encouraged objectors to take their concerns to VCAT if an appeal is made by the applicants.
