Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation ends dry zone in Camberwell, Ashburton, Balwyn, Glen Iris and Canterbury

PEOPLE living in the inner eastern suburbs will no longer be able to vote on whether eateries should have liquor licences, ending the area’s unique, historic dry zone.

PIRATE: Generic shot of wine cellar, 12/98. Alcohol / Bottle Housing

A HISTORIC liquor dry zone, which allowed people to vote on whether they wanted eateries in the inner eastern suburbs to have liquor licences, has come to an end after 95 years.

In a move to designed to cut costs and red tape, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) has scrapped liquor polls within the area bound by the former City of Camberwell.

The change in law means restaurant and cafe liquor licence applications in Balwyn North, Balwyn, Canterbury, Camberwell, Glen Iris and Ashburton will now only need to submit an application to the VCGLR.

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However, the VCGLR and Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) will continue to poll affected dry areas for hotel, bar and club liquor licence applications.

Previously, each licensing poll had been jointly funded by the Victorian Electoral Commission and the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, with the average cost about $9000.

The move usurps the former City of Camberwell’s vote in 1920 to discontinue all liquor licences in the municipality and become a dry area.

VCGLR licensing director Alex Fitzpatrick said Boroondara residents have consistently approved each application for a restaurant and cafe licence.

“The consistent poll voting patterns displayed by residents since 2010 show there is a community acceptance for restaurants and cafes in the area,” Ms Fitzpatrick said.

For further information about dry areas, visit vcglr.vic.gov.au.