AT BEGA Valley Shire Council’s meeting on Wednesday, councillors will consider their response to an application for a liquor licence from Woolworths subsidiary BWS (Beer Wine Spirits).
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An application has been lodged with the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) for a packaged liquor licence at the Woolworths development in Bermagui.
Woolworths withdrew plans for a liquor store in the DA approved by council in April, but by placing BWS in the retail centre attached to the supermarket are trying to get a liquor store in through other means (BDN, 28/6).
A community impact statement (CIS) has already been conducted on behalf of the applicant by Back Schwarz Vaughn Lawyers, in line with ILGA's requirements.
During the course of the CIS preparation process, BVSC received correspondence from 32 members of the community objecting to the issuing of the liquor licence.
Until November 27, the council and general population now have the opportunity to make online submissions on the application, and council will discuss the issue at tomorrow’s meeting.
Cr Keith Hughes has also put forward a motion on notice that the council indicate officially whether it supports or opposes the new Bermagui packaged liquor licence.
The CIS stated BVSC said there were a “number of concerns from a social and community perspective” regarding a new liquor outlet in the town.
In the statement, the council had outlined there were already three liquor outlets in town, and “[t]he introduction of a fourth liquor licence would seem excessive for the population”.
Also noted in the CIS is opposition from NSW Police.
Paul Payten of the Bermagui Focus Group said his group is organising its submission and will have it posted on ILGA's noticeboard by November 24.
“There’s plenty of time still for someone to make a submission,” he said.
The CIS stated that, since July 25 when the CIS Notice was given to properties neighbouring the proposed Woolworths site, the Authority had received 57 submissions from local residents, with 55 of those opposed to the application.
Among those submissions are the views of tourists to Bermagui disagreeing with the liquor licence application.
Mr Payten said his group has since heard feedback from locals protesting the inclusion of visitors in the community impact statement process.
However, he said the BWS would impact on them as well so they were within their rights to demonstrate their point of view.
“They come here and like the town as it is, so I don’t see that it’s unfair that they should have an opinion,” he said.
To make a submission on the application, click here and search “Bermagui”.
