By Brendan Rees
Casey Council are taking the Premier to task to have a greater input with booze outlets to prevent the harm associated with family violence and other alcohol-related issues.
As a result of their meeting on Tuesday 17 September, councillors voted to lobby Premier Daniel Andrews and state ministers for greater controls over liquor retailers applying for a licence.
It comes after the State Government refused a council’s proposed planning scheme amendment which sought to provide a policy to limit the number of alcohol outlets going into disadvantaged communities under the Liquor Control Reform Act.
Casey deputy mayor Rosalie Crestani successfully moved a motion at council’s meeting calling for ministers to consider restricting the “proliferation” of large package liquor outlets, as well as the need for health warning labels to be placed on booze products.
Cr Crestani said council had taken a lead role with the South East Councils Melbourne Alliance in terms of appropriate placement of large package liquor shops under the Victorian Planning Scheme.
“Family violence is the one that really hits home; it’s terrifying,” she said.
“We have an important role, it’s not just our role, and it’s all community roles to do something about this alcohol issue.
“We put ugly pictures on cigarette packages … why can’t we have some control over alcohol advertising?” Cr Crestani said.
A Government Spokesperson said: “While we appreciate the councils’ efforts to address this important issue, it isn’t appropriate to do so through a planning scheme amendment.”
“We encourage the councils’ to revisit this application with a different approach,” the spokesperson said.
Casey Mayor Amanda Stapledon said while council wasn’t anti-alcohol it wanted to protect the community when applications were made for liquor shops in low socio-economic areas.
Michael Thorn, chief executive of The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), said “no council has fought harder than the City of Casey” to protect the community from alcohol harm, and to address Victoria’s “narrow, inadequate legislation.”
Mr Thorn said council’s reference to the problem of “proliferation” was important as research showed a 10 per cent increase in off-licence liquor outlets was linked to a 3.3 per cent increase in family violence.
“Packaged liquor outlets contribute to increased harm, including assaults, domestic violence, chronic disease, child maltreatment, vehicle crashes, injuries, and self-harm,” he said.
Cancer Council Victoria alcohol policy manager and co-chair of the National Alliance for Action on Alcohol, Jane Martin said more hard-hitting campaigns like Drink Less, Live More to ensure people know the reality of the health impacts were needed.
