Black Rock residents fuming as VCAT gives Dan Murphy’s green light on Bluff Road megastore

Black Rock residents are fuming after plans for a Dan Murphy’s megastore were approved, despite 500 objections and fears of a rise in alcohol-fuelled violence.

Black Rock residents have been left outraged after a proposal for a Dan Murphy's in their small village town was approved. Picture: Jason Edwards

Bayside residents have lost a fight to prevent a major alcohol retailer setting up a megastore.

Retail giant Endeavour Group has been battling Black Rock residents for more than a year over plans for a Dan Murphy’s storeon the seaside suburb’s main street.

Locals claim the megastore could fuel crime and put smaller alcohol retailers out of business.

VCAT initially knocked back the plan for what would be a fourth bottle shop in Black Rock in January 2022, but the proposal was approved at a hearing this week.

More than 500 residents, backed by Bayside Council, local MP Brad Rowswell and the Black Rock Traders Association, had submittedobjections.

Residents fear the megastore could fuel crime, cause congestion and run famil retailers out of business. Picture: Jason Edwards

Resident Jody McDonald said locals feared three family-owned alcohol retailers just doors down from the site would be wiped out.

“It is heartbreaking to see how hard they have fought to retain their business especially since Covid,” she said.

“It hurts the whole community. Dan Murphy’s are ignoring our fears for our beautiful community and local businesses.”

Resident Claudia Ahern said she feared the retailer’s click-and-collect feature could make Black Rock beach a hub for teenage drinking.

“We’ve just got to be careful that it doesn’t turn into St Kilda,” she said.

Crime was up almost 13 per cent in Bayside in 2022 and hospital admissions for alcohol related incidents were higher in the LGA compared to the Melbourne and Victorian averages.

While the tribunal accepted the evidence, it said the correlation lacked substance.

Black Rock Cellars owner Matt Surman said the megastore would put major pressure on his business.

“It will make it tough, especially for Red Bluff Cellars two stores away from the proposed site, they will be majorly impacted,” he said.

Endeavour Group told the Herald Sun it was “absolutely committed to working closely with the council and the local community”.