Casey councillor Lorraine Wreford, left, and resident Suzanne Brendel, right, are hoping a compromise can be reached over an impending liquor licence application at Strathaird Reserve in Narre Warren.By Rebecca Fraser
A NARRE Warren South resident claims that a cricket club’s needs have been put before the community.
Suzanne Brendel has expressed concern over a liquor licence application that will soon be made on behalf of the Maranatha Methodist Cricket Club (MMCC).
The application will ask that the club, located at Strathaird Reserve, be allowed to serve alcohol until 11pm on most weeknights, and from 12pm until midnight on Saturday and Sunday.
Ms Brendel has obtained 30 signatures from homes near the Community Parade venue objecting to the proposed licence hours, and said many residents had raised concerns over the issue.
“Don’t get me wrong, I understand that a liquor licence is the blood line and bread and butter of sporting clubs and a main form of income,” Ms Brendel said.
“But I think there has been a lack of concern and respect shown for residents living so close to the clubrooms.
“It would be like having a pub across the road.”
Ms Brendel, coordinator of the Narre Warren South Neighbourhood Watch, said she and many other residents were not advocating that the application be stopped but that the licence hours be reduced.
She added that ideally alcohol would only be served until 10pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday nights and from 6pm until midnight on Friday and Saturday.
“My primary concern is that there is already a problem with young people consuming alcohol at the reserve at all hours of the night,” Ms Brendel said.
“We don’t want people congregating in car parks and slamming car doors when people nearby are trying to get themselves and their children to sleep.
“We also don’t want drunk people walking down the streets,” she said.
Ms Brendel said she found it ironic the Casey councillor Rob Wilson, a MMCC committee member, had supported the application.
“I find it ironic that Mr Wilson, the former mayor of Casey whose first priority should be the welfare of local residents, is going to do something that shows no respect for residents.
“It seems that he has chosen a cricket club over a community,” she said.
But this week Cr Wilson said this was not the case and both he and the club were open to negotiation.
“The application is in the process of being forwarded to the liquor licensing commission.
“We have operated a similar licence out of Fotheringham Reserve for 20 or 30 years now and are very responsible with our serving of alcohol and will continue to be.
“This is a simple replicate of the existing licence.
“But I am sure that a compromise can be met as there does not seem to be much difference between what local residents want and what the club is asking for,” he said.
Strathard Ward councillor Lorraine Wreford said she too hoped a compromise could be reached.
“We need to ask ourselves what we are doing,” Cr Wreford said.
“I have no problems with drinking but it is all about being reasonable and setting a good example to children.
“I would like to see the committee granted a liquor licence but that the community be happy with the end result and that a good outcome for both the club and residents be achieved.”
