CONCERNED residents from the Swan Hill region have launched a petition opposing a liquor licence application for the former Forty Winks building in Campbell Street, citing concerns about increased crime and public safety risks.
Company, I Can Smell a Dead Duck Ltd, applied for a liquor licence on January 27, and as part of legal requirements has publicly advertised its intent.
Koraleigh resident Kellie Farley launched a petition titled ‘Stop the bottle shop’ which gained momentum online this week.
“At this time Swan Hill has eight bottle shops and four pubs within a 1km distance,” Ms Farley said.
“I think there should be restrictions on the location and number of bottle shops to help keep communities safe.”
Swan Hill District Health counselling services manager Jann Barkman agreed that the number and location of alcohol outlets could impact the community.
“We know alcohol and smoking both cause significant harm to individuals and communities,” she said.
“Having more access makes it easier for people to make choices that are unhealthy.”
As part of the application process, I Can Smell a Dead Duck raised an application for a planning permit which sits with council.
Swan Hill Mayor Stuart King said council would step through the appropriate processes in addressing the application.
“The application for the liquor licence is not a council process, that’s direct with the liquor licensing authority, so we have no control over that part of the process,” he said.
“With that, there is a planning permit, which the council has received and reviewed and it is now at the stage where it will go to public advertising.
“As part of the decision-making process, the council will advertise the planning permit application for 14 days, from today until April 4. “During this period, residents will have the opportunity to lodge concerns and typically, applications that receive objections are usually brought to the council for a decision.
“Our planning department will assess the application and make any recommendations.”
Ms Farley’s petition can be found online at Change.org (search for Stop the bottle shop) or by visiting Gorg Lifestyles, a retailer near Woolworths in Swan Hill.
I Can Smell a Dead Duck is required to display their intention for the application from March 5 to April 4, in which time anyone is invited to submit their objections via email to contact@liquor.vic.gov.au.
As part of Council’s decision-making process, the planning permit application will be advertised in The Guardian for 14 days, from today.
Those wishing to voice concerns to Council can do so by emailing council@swanhill.vic.gov.au.
