Review of grog shops in Palmo

PALMERSTON could look at developing a “liquor master plan”, after yet another licence application came before Council at a recent meeting.

Alderman Paul Bunker said Council needed to have a longterm plan for how alcohol was distributed across Palmerston.

“I’m concerned about all these small outlets getting liquor licences throughout the municipality,” he said.

“Personally, I would prefer to see larger outlets – like pubs, clubs, those type of things – have the facilities than have every corner shop having a liquor licence ... it’s beginning to look a little like Bali.”

Zuccoli IGA Fresh recently applied for a new “store” liquor licence to sell takeaway alcoholic beverages.

Alderman Sue McKinnon said she supported their application because there were no current liquor licensees in Zuccoli, with the nearest takeaway licences in Rosebery or Bakewell.

Alderman Andrew Byrne said Council would “have this debate again fairly shortly” as the Zuccoli town centre was still under development.

“What we’re starting to see is that the IGAs are coming in early, then we have the big box developer and suddenly you’ve got two liquor licences competing in the one area,” he said.

“Pretty soon you’ve got a lot of alcohol outlets all over the place. Everyone seems to be wanting to sell alcohol, which is quite disturbing.

“It’s going to be up to NT Government to approve it anyway ... I don’t know if Council should be agreeing with every submission.”

Technically, Palmerston Council have no power to approve or reject the liquor licence applications, but their reports are considered by the NT Government.

According to the Department of Business, there are 37 current liquor licences in the Palmerston area.

Of that number, 10 licences were granted in 2016 and four were granted in the first two months of 2017.