WA cracks down on ‘booze barns’

THE proliferation of booze barns in the West Australian community is being curbed by changes to the Liquor Control Act in a nationwide first.

New regulations that take effect from Saturday prohibit packaged liquor outlets of 400 square metres or greater to be established within 5km of another in the metropolitan area. or 12km in regional areas.

Existing venues will be unaffected, but will not be allowed to increase the size of their sales area if another large packaged liquor outlet is within the prescribed distances.

Maylands MLA Lisa Baker spent 11 years on community campaigns against having a Dan Murphy’s next to Peninsula Tavern and a liquor store on Guildford Road in Maylands.

“Really for the entire time until the last two years, we have been campaigning against liquor outlets in Maylands,” she said.

“The first was Coles and the second was Woolworths.

“I feel fantastic that my community no longer needs to fight these (liquor outlets) within 5km of the Morley Dan Murphy’s.

“It is really great that we brought in some really sound regulations that restrict the proliferation of these big liquor stores

“It also benefits the businesses in the electorate.”

“So, for all the family-owned liquor stores in the electorate, they now can continue their business with more assurance and make plans for their future as well.

“Best of all, the West Australian wines that find a home in a small liquor store will continue to find market outlets now.”