Anti-alcohol bodies to lodge objections against Dan Murphy’s Darwin application

OBJECTIONS to a Dan Murphy’s superstore in Darwin will be made by two organisations today as lawyers meet in a Liquor Commission directions hearing

FARE and NT PHAA will be submitting a joint objection to Dan Murphy’s application for a Darwin alcohol superstore

OBJECTIONS to a Dan Murphy’s superstore in Darwin will be made by two organisations today as lawyers meet in a Liquor Commission directions hearing.

Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) and the NT Branch of the Public Health Association of Australia (NT PHAA) have objected to the application from Woolworths Group and will call for the NT Liquor Commission to reject the liquor merchants.

FARE chief executive Michael Thorn said the application, which would see the transfer of the liquor license from a Stuart Park BWS bottle shop to a Dan Murphy’s store in Eaton, would endanger the surrounding community.

“We trust that the Commission will reject Woolworths’ brazen attempt to undermine the groundbreaking recommendations of the Riley Review of alcohol policy in the NT, which initiated the lengthy process to address the longstanding problems caused by alcohol across the Territory,” he said.

“Woolworths’ existing license is for a small, BWS convenience store in Stuart Park, while the proposed licence is for a Dan Murphy’s superstore 10-times the size — in effect 10 BWS stores in one giant warehouse which would flood the area with cheap alcohol.”

The objection by FARE and NT PHAA appeals on the grounds the new store will “reduce the amenity of the neighbourhood”, will “adversely affect the health, education, public safety or social conditions in the community” and “breaches the moratorium on new take away liquor licences”.

The objection will also contest that Woolworths, who own 226 Dan Murphy’s outlets and more than 1100 BWS stores across Australia, “is not a fit and proper organisation to hold a liquor license”.

Today’s meeting will see lawyers from Woolworths Group and external companies and organisations meet this morning to discuss their arguments for and against the establishment of Dan Murphy’s in the Osgood Dr shopping precinct.

The store would help shape the developing precinct as a retail hub, providing an outlet to the northern suburbs.

Endeavour Drinks Group corporate services general manage Shane Tremble said he didn’t expect it to be a particularly noteworthy meeting but the directions hearing was an important step to ensure a smooth application process.

“It’s legal housework … the lawyers will go in and talk about what they do and don’t agree on,” he said.

“It gives an outline for the hearing when we do have one.”

Mr Tremble was still in the dark as to a final date for the hearing.

“I wish I knew that,” he said.

Today’s directions hearing will be heard by chairman Richard Coates, deputy chairman Jodi Truman and Charles Douglas.