Darwin Dan Murphy’s blocked by Gunner Government

A LIQUOR wholesaler planned to open Darwin Airport has been blocked at the last minute by the Gunner Governmen

Dan Murphy’s general manager Campbell Stott ... ‘All we are really asking for is that we get a fair hearing’. Picture: Aaron Francis

A LIQUOR wholesaler planned for the centre of Darwin has been blocked at the last minute by the Gunner Government.

A plan to open the Territory’s first Dan Murphy’s outlet, a huge alcohol superstore with more than 4500 different products, hit a major curveball this week.

The liquor giant had their eyes on a block of land opposite Bunnings on Osgood Dr, with plans to transfer a liquor licence from BWS at Stuart Park, Nine News revealed Thursday night.

The board of NT Airports approved plans for the store — which would have included a 1200sq m trading floor and 800sq m storeroom.

Just as the liquor giant was preparing to go public with the proposal, NT Labor rushed through a piece of legislation to stop the build before it even began.

These changes, listed in the NT Government Gazette on December 20, stated “the area which the public can browse for and purchase liquor is limited to a maximum of 400sq m”.

Dan Murphy’s general manager Campbell Stott told the NT News the changes came as a bit of a shock.

“All we are really asking for is that we get a fair hearing and to put our case forward and co-exist in Darwin,” he said on Thursday night.

“What we are asking is that our model is understood ... we need the size and scale to fit the extensive range. “

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the proposal went against the government’s election commitments to tackle alcohol-related crimes.

“We recognise that alcohol- related harm continues to be the biggest single social challenge in the NT,” he said.