Concerns raised about proposed new bulk liquor outlet

A proposal from a Queensland hotel giant to set up a bulk liquor outlet within an area of Cairns plagued by alcohol abuse problems has been met with a stern warning about the impact of the store.

Bob’s Bulk Booze has applied for a detached bottle shop licence at the corner of Sheridan and Florence streets. Picture: Nuno Avendano

A proposal from a Queensland hotel giant to set up a bulk liquor outlet within an area of Cairns plagued by alcohol abuse problems has been met with a stern warning about impacts of the store

Big signs outside the old Goodyear tyre workshop at the corner of Sheridan St and Mulgrave Rd spruik the imminent arrival of Cairns’ first Bob’s Bulk Booze outlet.

This week workers have been busy at the sprawling 530sq/m shop completing the fit out for the proposed new outlet.

Cairns city councillor Rob Pyne said the proposed outlet was unpopular with his constituents who believed increased liquor availability would be “no help” to public drunkenness, violence and anti-social behaviour plaguing the Cairns CBD.

Workers undertake the fit-out at the proposed Bob’s Bulk Booze outlet. Picture: Nuno Avendano

However the Division 5 councillor said local government had limited power to block this type of development if plans fell within the scope of the planning scheme.

“We can give feedback as to whether or not they approve the licence but ultimately it’s their decision,” he said.

“But it has to comply with our planning and if it does that we can’t stop them, all we can do is say we are concerned.”

Mr Pyne stopped short of directly opposing the liquor proposal but said he was concerned and he wished Star Liquor ”had not applied for a licence”.

“Wouldn’t it be good for something to go in there that was tailor made for that precinct,” he said.

Cairns police attend a disturbance on Shields St and empty illegally consumed booze into garden beds. Picture: Peter Carruthers

“It puts me in a bit of a bind to say I’m emphatically against it but I’m worried, and I do worry about the outcome.”

Star Group majority owner and Tully-born hotel baron Steven Shoobridge’s North Queensland Hotel Investments Pty Ltd paid $2.8m for the commercially zoned Sheridan St property in August.

Bob’s Bulk Booze is a retail brand trading under the umbrella of the Star Liquor group.

Star Liquor opened its first bottle shop at the Raintree Tavern in June last year and have since opened an outlet at Edge Hill in competition to the existing Liquorland Edge Hill Bottleshop.

In August Star Liquor Group also acquired the old Northerner Steakhouse building at 554 Mulgrave Rd Woree for $1.2m.

Bobs Bulk Booze signage on Sheridan St in the Cairns CBD. Picture: Nuno Avendano

According to the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation the regulator has received two liquor license applications at Woree and Cairns City.

Cairns based Gunggandji custodian Warren Martens warned of inflaming a drunken itinerant issue within the central Cairns area if the Sheridan St bulk booze outlet got the green light.

“They are setting up Cairns to be a ghetto, it will be known as the ghetto of the north,” he said.

“What community consultations have been happening around this stuff?

“There is no social licence and I think we are overservicing this area.

“There has been no consultation and no indigenous impact studies done on a community that is already experiencing high abuse and over consumption issues.”

Cairns Regional Council stated the proposed Sheridan St liquor outlet to date has not been approved by council and to proceed a development application will need to be lodged.

“Council has received a request from the Office of Liquor and Gambling Regulation for feedback on a proposed bottle shop at this site. Our feedback will consider factors such as the location, the number of similar outlets nearby, and any social or operational impacts,” a spokesman said.

The old steakhouse on Mulgrave Rd does not require a development application for conversion to a liquor store due to the planning scheme permitting this type of development without a permit.

Men share a drink at the cenotaph on the Cairns Esplanade in contravention of a ban on alcohol in parklands and on the waterfront last week. Picture: Supplied

The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation is currently assessing applications for a detached bottle shop on both locations.

“An assessment of the merits of an application for a detached bottle shop must also consider health and social impacts associated with the proposal, and whether the sale of liquor is likely to negatively impact upon the amenity of the locality,” a spokeswoman said.

“Feedback from stakeholders including police and council is important in helping to inform the decision-making process.”

Mr Shoobridge has been contacted for comment.

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Originally published as Concerns raised about proposed new bulk liquor outlet