Call to stall

By Lia Bichel
A PROPOSED bottle shop in Hampton Park has angered residents, who fear the venue could fuel crime in the area.
Almost 150 people signed a petition, and 30 people wrote letters to back Council, which will be appealing to VCAT against the liquor licence already issued.
River Gum Ward councillor Lynette Keleher presented the petition to council last week.
“It wasn’t up to us to issue the liquor licence,” River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith told the News.
“We spoke out against it, but we lost. We are going to appeal it and we encourage the community to get behind us,” Cr Smith said.
The location of the planned bottle shop, near Somerville Road, The Fairway and Parkland Avenue is inappropriate, according to Holy Trinity Anglican Church Reverend Ian Savage. Reverend Savage said the venue would be located on a busy street, frequented by young children and teens.
“I have nothing against responsible consumption of alcohol, but I think this is the wrong spot for the venue,” Rev Savage said.
“There is a sporting ground across the road which already has a bar. People would take their liquor to the grounds and no one would have control over it,” he said.
The future venue is on the route to two primary schools and Hampton Park Secondary College and the CFA is two doors away and the Holy Trinity Anglican Church is on a nearby corner, he said.
“Older kids might purchase alcohol and give it to younger children hiding around the corner,” he said. Rev Savage feared that the venue would contribute to increased hoon activity in the area.
“There is a bit of bad behaviour in the area now, graffiti and hoon driving,” he said.
“I am not saying it’s linked to the kids in the area now, but I do think the venue could make things worse.” Cr Smith agreed.
“We already see a lot of trouble in that area with kids hanging around at night and windows getting broken,” he said. Hampton Park Networking Group president Vanasa Gerdes signed the petition on behalf of the organisation, and said there were already half a dozen liquor venues in Hampton Park, and there was no need for another.
“We don’t want to prevent businesses from coming to the area, but we already have enough liquor businesses, we don’t need anymore,” she said.