Oakbank Racecourse fights to secure liquor licence
Oakbank Racing Club has been denied a permanent liquor licence after its historic grandstand was deemed unsafe.
Adelaide Hills
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Oakbank Racing Club’s move into a new financial direction has reached a stumbling block after its request for a permanent liquor licence was denied.
A Consumer and Business Services spokeswoman confirmed the club was falling short of required building standards that would allow for a club licence.
The club applied for its first permanent liquor licence late last year in a bid to hold corporate and community events outside the racing calendar.
However, their submission was knocked back after a council inspector deemed one of the historic grandstand unsafe.
The spokeswoman said a short-term licence had been issued in the interim, to allow the club to host its Easter Carnival.
“A determination regarding a permanent licence for the facility is still being considered, and is awaiting the outcome of discussions between the club and the local council,” she said.
Club chairwoman Arabella Branson said every effort was made to resolve the issue.
“Our club is currently working with the appropriate authorities to obtain a club licence which, once obtained, will enable us to ensure that our upgraded facilities are available to the Hills and broader community in more ways and more often,” she said.
“As a heritage listed building, we have been advised that our grandstand will need some work to be done to ensure it meets the new liquor licensing standards released in January 2020.
“The club is costing and planning these works for post Oakbank Week 2020 which will run “carnival as usual” on the short-term licenses we have been granted.”
Development and Regulatory Services director for Adelaide Hills Council Marc Salver said both council and the club were working towards achieving a longer term liquor licence.
“The Application by the Oakbank Racing Club for a Club Licence under the Liquor Licence Act 1997 was provided to Adelaide Hills Council by the Club late last year,” he said.
“It triggered a review that has led to a development application being lodged.
“Development Approval was granted in January 2020 and a short term liquor licence was issued for an event.”
Ms Branson said Oakbank Racing Club had been a proud meeting point for hundreds of thousands of people since 1876. She said a long-term liquor licence would help to keep facilities going for another 140 years.
“We are building a business model that will provide the basis for our club’s growth and its unique and historic facilities to be open for people to enjoy the races and other corporate, community and family events,” she said.
“As such, we are planning initiatives to find non-racing means of revenue to ensure our facility is enjoyed in more ways by more people more often moving forward.”