Town wine bar battle

MORE than 200 residents have called on the Surf Coast Shire to reject a planning permit for an Anglesea wine bar and bottle shop.

A petition with 269 signatures said the permit for Cellars Anglesea at 85 Great Ocean Road would result in the 17th licensed premises within 500m.

The petition organiser, who has not been named, said in a submission to the council that the health and wellbeing of residents should be its priority.

They said: “74.1 per cent of adults on the Surf Coast are classified as at lifetime risk of alcohol-related harm as a result of consumption levels.

“This is the fifth-highest level of all local government areas in Victoria.

“(And) 59.2 per cent of adults are at risk of short-term harm as a result of the amount consumed in a single occasion, the second highest of all local government areas in Victoria.”

The petition submission said the Surf Coast also experienced a higher rate of alcohol-related serious harm or injury, greater than the rest of the state.

“The Surf Coast Shire should be working with the existing liquor licence holders to reduce alcohol harm in the community,” it said.

“The other businesses that hold liquor licences currently offer a variety of other services or goods to the community.

“The approval of an exclusive alcohol venue that does not serve food or offer entertainment does not enhance the offering available to residents and guests … and instead encourages risky behaviours around drinking.”

The petition, which was received by the council at its May meeting, is now under consideration with the shire’s planning department.

Councillor Liz Pattison said at the time that given the amount of community support, she hoped the matter would have a hearing for submissions.

The planning application said a general liquor licence would be sought to allow for the sale and consumption of liquor both on and off the premises with proposed indoor and outdoor seating.

“The licensed premises will operate predominantly as a bottle shop with an ancillary wine bar,” it read.

“The wine bar component will comprise a seating arrangement for eight patrons indoors and 20 patrons outdoors.”

The application said no live music or DJs would be on the premises.

The operating hours would be 9am-11pm most Mondays to Saturdays and from 10am on Sundays.