Liquor giant Dan Murphy’s Darwin superstore application rejected by Liquor Commission

LIQUOR giant Dan Murphy’s application for a Darwin superstore has been rejected by the NT Liquor Commission

Liquor giant Dan Murphy’s application for a Darwin superstore has been rejected by the NT Liquor Commission

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LIQUOR giant Dan Murphy’s application for a Darwin superstore has been rejected by the NT Liquor Commission.

A Woolworths spokesman told the NT News the decision had been handed down on Friday after months of legal proceedings before the Liquor Commission.

The Dan Murphy’s superstore was proposed for the new airport commercial precinct, which would have been located in Eaton near the Bunnings Warehouse.

Endeavour Drinks GM Corporate Services Shane Tremble said: “We’re disappointed with the decision because it means the Northern Territory continues to miss out on new investment, jobs and greater shopping choice for local customers”.

“We always treat our responsible service obligations very seriously and have a strong track record in this area over many decades in close consultation with local police and community groups.”

“We’re carefully reviewing the decision and considering our next steps.”

Dan Murphy’s had been planning the development in Darwin for four years and had undertaken broad-based community consultation throughout the planning process to ensure appropriate responsible service of alcohol measures were put in place at the store.

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The multimillion-dollar development was expected to create construction jobs for local businesses as well as 30 ongoing retail jobs.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said he was disappointment in the Liquor Commission’s decision.

“Territorians want a Dan Murphy’s. I want to see a Dan Murphy’s in Darwin,” he said.

“Today’s decision is a kick in the guts for responsible drinkers, who want more choice in the Darwin market.

“The Liquor Commission makes it clear they are not opposed to the concept of a Dan Murphy’s store in Darwin. The Liquor Commission’s main objection is around location.

An artist’s impression of the proposed Dan Murphy's business development in the new airport commercial precinct which has been knocked back by the Liquor Commission. Picture: Supplied

“This means there are practical steps that Endeavour can take to make this project happen.

“I’ve asked the Department of Business to see if they can any provide assistance, as they would for any business in the Territory.

“There is an appeals process open to Endeavour Drinks, and they’ve indicated they’ll consider their next options.”

Chamber of Commerce chief executive Greg Bicknell said while he hadn’t seen a copy of the decision the chamber’s position wouldn’t change.

“We believe we need investment into the NT,” he said.

“This is an opportunity to grow more jobs and offer a different service so it’s very, very disappointing.”

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Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said the Liquor Commission created a hurdle too high for some businesses to successfully overcome in the Northern Territory.

“If we are going to support and attract business to come we have to make it easier for people to come to Darwin,” he said.

“I hear a lot of complaints about the Liquor Commission. It takes too long to transfer licences.”

Mr Vatskalis said he still needed to read the report and wanted to study it but was disappointed by the outcome regardless.

“I understand we have alcohol problems but once again the kind of people who cause problems aren’t the kind of people who go to Dan Murphy’s,” he said.

“It’s the fact that the Federal Government refuses to allow remote communities to have access to alcohol in a controlled environment. These people aren’t from Darwin.”

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NT Airports acting chief executive Ross Baynes said the timing of the application was tough, given the project would provide jobs and bring money into the Northern Territory.

“We are disheartened and frustrated to learn of the Liquor Commission’s decision today, as it puts a stop to a circa $30 million development that provides 150 jobs during construction and 30 to 50 jobs post construction especially when Darwin is facing one of its toughest economic times for decades,” he said.

“This decision sends a very clear message to interstate investors – The NT is not open for business.”

Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education chief executive Michael Thorn, who was one of the biggest opponents of a Dan Murphy’s said the decision had come thanks to local advocates and the store could only increase the exposure of Territorians to the harms caused by alcohol consumption.

“We congratulate the Liquor Commission for listening to the local objectors, and for accepting the overwhelming evidence linking alcohol availability to increases in death, injury, disease and crime,” he said.

“The Commission’s decision is the right decision to protect the Territory’s local communities from Woolworths’ relentless, predatory marketing of cheap packaged liquor.”