Thursday, March 12, 2009

MP says 5am trade too late

Vandalism, excessive alcohol must be addressed by more ‘manageable hours’

Written by Philip Nolan.- Source: Wangaratta Chronicle

ONGOING concerns over Wangaratta’s controversial 5am trading have been raised on the floor of State Parliament.

Ken Jasper (MLA, Murray Valley) has cited problems of excessive alcohol consumption and vandalism by the city’s young people as a reason for need to review state liquor laws.

Mr Jasper was pushing the case to have liquor licensing enforcement controlled by police, rather than the government’s preferred concept of civilian compliance inspectors.

"I believe it is critical that we look at controls in the industry and look to the police to enforce regulations," he said.

Mr Jasper noted that in Wangaratta, at least one venue stays open until 5am.

"In my view there is no need for excessive trading hours within a rural city like Wangaratta or indeed across Victoria," he said.

"We have a former superintendent of police, Doug McPhie, now a councillor with the Rural City of Wangaratta, who is extremely concerned at the extended trading hours in the city.

"Police in Wangaratta tell me some people leave a hotel or alcohol outlet when it closes at 2am and then move from one licensed outlet to another as they progressively close up until 5am.

"The excessive trading hours lead to excessive alcohol consumption, particularly by young people but also by others.

"Recent instances of vandalism within the city, including two instances of damage to fences at St Catherine’s Nursing Home, are of real concern.

"I believe we need to look at restricting the liquor service hours within this municipality, go back to manageable hours and make sure all licensed outlets close at the same time."

Mr Jasper yesterday confirmed that there was a groundswell of opposition in the Wangaratta community to the extended hours.

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