NIMBYs’ loss on Muirhead tavern’s liquor licence ruling a win for common sense

THE NT Liquor Commission’s decision to give Darwin developers Justin Coleman and Steve Dugan the go-ahead to build their new Breezes tavern in Muirhead represents a victory for common sense.

An artist’s impression of the proposed Breezes retail precinct in Muirhead. Picture: Supplied

THE NT Liquor Commission’s decision to give Darwin developers Justin Coleman and Steve Dugan the go-ahead to build their new Breezes tavern in Muirhead represents a victory for common sense.

Despite receiving a record 188 written objections from 256 residents, business owners and community organisations, the commissioners kept their heads and ruled on the application based on its merits.

The easy thing to do would have been to appease the many naysayers by rejecting the application on the basis that it would put too many noses out of joint but, as is often the case, the decision proves the easy way is not always the right way.

The hysterical complaints that the yet-to-be-built tavern would lead to the “destruction” of the local “serenity” and “degrade the social fabric” of the community through increased crime and “a very high element of anti-social behaviour” were always overblown and, in the end, not borne out by the facts before the commission.

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All too often the noisy, not-in-my-back-yard crowd manage to drown out all other voices and the squeaky wheel ends up getting the grease, but fortunately on this occasion the best outcome for the community as a whole has emerged from the din.

The developers provided repeated assurances as to the “family friendly” nature of the proposal, and the commissioners went so far as to stipulate that any future divergence from that concept would require the express approval of the Director of Liquor Licensing.

And if any nearby residents have lingering doubts, even the dress code has been baked into the ruling granting approval for the licence.

“Patrons must at all times be dressed in clean, neat and tidy apparel, in keeping with the concept of a family friendly tavern,” it reads.

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On top of that, shots are banned, along with loud music and even a dedicated dancefloor, all safeguards which should satisfy even the most hard-boiled of NIMBYs.

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