Casey’s rivers of booze

By Bridget Cook
THE City of Casey has called on the State Government to review relevant liquor licensing legislation, with the number of packaged liquor outlets in Casey’s vulnerable communities on the rise.
The council has resolved to write to the State Government to express its concern over the growing number of packaged liquor outlets, particularly ‘big box’, being approved in the vulnerable catchments of Casey.
The council will also write to the Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay, requesting support in undertaking a pilot project in Casey that aims to collect a secondary level of alcohol-related crime data.
The pilot project would call for Victoria Police to ask a second line of questions of an offender at a time the offence had occurred including whether alcohol was a contributing factor in the offence, and if so, where was it obtained and consumed.
The call from the council came following the approval for a Dan Murphy’s outlet in the new Marriot Waters Estate – something the council objected strongly to.
City of Casey councillor Shar Balmes said the establishment of packaged liquor outlets compromised the health and safety of Casey’s more vulnerable communities.
“The availability of packaged liquor outlets is fuelling the incidence of family violence, injury, anti-social behaviour and underage drinking,” she said.
“Council is seeking to stamp out these behaviours.
“As a signatory of the Casey Alcohol Accord, council is working to improve the health, well-being and safety of the community, by fostering a culture of respect and responsible behaviour.”
Cr Kevin Bradford said the council would send a strong message to the State Government that enough was enough.
“Council will write to the Premier of Victoria, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister for Planning requesting an urgent review into relevant liquor licensing legislation and policy,” he said.
“This includes consideration of a cap on the total number of packaged liquor outlets in Casey’s vulnerable communities.”
The State Government did not respond to the News before going to print.