Residents battle with retail giant

THE City of Cockburn and residents will take on retail giant Woolworths in a bid to oppose a liquor licence application for a liquor mega store next to the Cockburn Central youth centre.

Woolworths lodged the application on behalf of subsidiary Dan Murphy’s last week after Cockburn Council gave planning permission to develop the site last December.

But councillors and residents have said a 1400sqm liquor store was the wrong choice for the site.

Success resident Barry Jones collected about 200 signatures from local residents opposed to the application, which he will submit to the Department of Racing Gaming and Liquor.

“The immediate area already has the Gate tavern and to add another liquor outlet sends an entirely inappropriate message,” he said.

“Anybody would think we are a mob of drunks out here. I like a beer but there is a time when you have to say stop.”

Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said the City would submit a written objection and would consider making a request to appear before the Liquor Licensing Board to present its case.

Mr Howlett said strong feedback from ratepayers, the location, traffic congestion and public image were reasons for the council’s opposition.

“The council has instructed solicitors to prepare a rejection submission that will be provided to Liquor Licensing by February 21,” he said.

“The City will consider whether it will provide legal representation before the tribunal.”

Councillor Ian Whitfield said he hoped the Director of Liquor Licensing would agree it was the wrong location because of the road layout, high traffic volume and conflict with the Youth Centre and future GP super clinic.

“We would love a nice coffee shop and restaurant there, but we don’t need another grog shop,” he said. “It is a stupid place to put it, next to other high-usage areas like the video store and fast food outlets.

“The streets are chock-a-block already. The residents don’t want to see it get worse and that’s what will happen.”