Liquor Commission, Endeavour Drinks, objectors agree on final hearing date

A DATE has been set for Dan Murphy’s final Liquor Commission hearing with a decision to be made on the liquor giant’s Darwin application after the Queen’s Birthday weekend

Dan Murphy's concept plans for its Darwin store

A DATE has been set for Dan Murphy’s final Liquor Commission liquor hearing with a decision to be made on the liquor giant’s Darwin application after the Queen’s Birthday weekend.

The hearing will now take place from June 4-7, before concluding on Tuesday June 11 — the day after the Queen’s birthday public holiday.

It was pushed back from the earlier proposed May 14-16 dates as a result of a number of outstanding documents which had to be provided from Dan Murphy’s parent body, Endeavour Drinks Group, to the opposing parties.

Endeavour Drinks Group business development manager James Scott-Mackenzie said the documents were very important.

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“They’re very important, the traffic management plan less so, however it is very relevant in terms of controlling traffic and pedestrian foot traffic as well ...,” he said.

“The social impact is very important in helping them make an informed decision.

“The traffic report has been done. We’re just trying to obtain it because we didn’t manage that — Northern Territory Airports have got it and we’re working with them to get the right information and the report from Professor (Roberta) Ryan is a big report from an extremely busy lady so she’s getting it done as quickly as she possibly can.”

In the hearing, Endeavour Drinks Group Barrister Alistair Wyvill SC said Prof Ryan, a sociologist, would look specifically at the Dan Murphy’s store proposed for Eaton.

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Despite the delayed hearing, Mr Scott-Mackenzie said he was happy to get through another hearing.

“We’re one more step closer to having the hearing itself. Of course we’re disappointed it’s been pushed out by a few weeks however in order to get the process done properly and in a full disclosure manner it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

“We’re just taking the necessary steps and making sure that everything is done according to the rules of the liquor commission and everybody has the opportunity to say their piece.”