Palmerston council to object to Gateway bottle shop liquor application

A PALMERSTON bottle shop is set to be relocated from Gateway shopping centre into the suburbs

A Palmerston bottle shop is set to be relocated from Gateway shopping centre into the suburbs

A PALMERSTON bottle shop is set to be relocated from Gateway shopping centre into the suburbs, with a liquor licence substitution and relocation application lodged with the liquor commission.

The Gateway Select Wine, Beer and Spirits, owned by Little Cashy Pty Ltd, has applied to move its business to the Fairway Waters shopping centre in Durack.

Palmerston Council will be invited to comment on the change on Tuesday night but is expected to object to the application, given there were already alcohol-related issues in the proposed store’s surrounding area.

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“Council is aware of frequent alcohol-related incidents occurring within the Marlow Lagoon Recreation Reserve,” a draft objection letter from council chief executive Luccio Cercarelli said.

“An additional outlet in this vicinity will make it easier for these people to access liquor.”

It was also suggested relocating the outlet near a number of stores frequented by children and families, including the video shop, Domino’s Pizza and the service station, as well as the BMX park and Remote Control Car Club would not be beneficial.

Mr Cercarelli also suggested more crime could be brought to the area.

“Currently there is no known security presence at the Durack location allowing for a possible increase in anti-social behaviour in the area,” he said.

“Significant support is provided to the venue operator in its current location (Gateway Shopping Centre) by the nature of being located in an enclosed mall with a significant security presence.”

Mr Cercarelli also noted that Durack was already close enough to the CBD and Yarrawonga and for residents wanting to purchase alcohol, there were options without having to establish a new outlet.

In February, a liquor application to bring a grog shop to Oasis shopping centre from Pinelands was knocked back by a firm Palmerston council citing too much alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour in the whole municipality.