Danila Dilba, FARE, AMSANT, NTCOSS relieved Dan Murphy’s pull the pin on Darwin

The end to a successful fight against the development of a Dan Murphy’s superstore has come to the relief of several health and social service bodies that have actively opposed the proposal over the past five-and-a-half years.

THE end to a successful fight against the development of a Dan Murphy’s superstore has come to the relief of several health and social service bodies that have actively opposed the proposal over the past five-and-a-half years.

Danila Dilba Health Services chief executive Olga Havnen said the outcome put the welfare of Indigenous communities at the forefront of the issue.

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“Woolworths has taken a considerable step in the right direction here,” she said.

“This decision provides Woolworths with an opportunity to become a national leader in corporate responsibility and influence the business sector in its engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and organisations.”

Danila Dilba CEO Olga Havnen

Danila Dilba is taking the Liquor Commission to court over the liquor licence it issued, which was transferred from a now-defunct Stuart Park BWS store to accommodate the development.

The organisation contests the licence did not legally exist and therefore could not be used.

Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) chief executive John Paterson said while the outcome was supported, he wasn’t not so sure the fight was over.

“We are happy with the Woolworths decision … we don’t think it is over yet,” Mr Paterson said.

“There are some issues we need to address with the Northern Territory government in terms of their liquor licensing decision-making ­processes.

“We want to make sure that the back door is shut and locked.”

NT Council of Social Services chief executive Deborah Di Natale said there were already plenty of bottle shop options across the Darwin and Palmerston region, with no need for more competition.

“With the existing high density of bottle shops, the addition of a megastore would have a disastrous impact on Darwin,” she said.

“The NT experiences some of the worst alcohol-related harm in the country.”