Superstore gets go-ahead

Dan Murphy’s has been given the green light to build an alcohol superstore in Kwinana despite fierce opposition from police and health agencies.

Construction is due to start within two weeks on a 1159sqm store which would be integrated into the revamped Kwinana Marketplace.

The City of Kwinana unanimously passed the application for a “bulk liquor store” in June 2011.

Woolworths was granted a liquor licence for the outlet, despite police evidence of alcohol-related crime in Kwinana.

The submission stated the area was at the lower end of the socio-economic demographic and had a higher than average proportion of “at-risk” groups.

Health agencies also submitted evidence that a proportion of children and families in the area suffered from alcohol-related harm.

WA executive director of public health Tarun Weeramanthri said Kwinana had characteristics that made the community vulnerable to alcohol-related harm and granting the application would only increase its likelihood.

Last week, the Liquor Commission rejected an application for a similar store in Joondalup after police submitted similar evidence of existing alcohol-related crime.

Potential stores in Cockburn and Bicton were also turned down, with police issuing similar concerns.

Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams said the City encouraged residents to practise responsible drinking.

“Naturally we do not support initiatives which would greatly increase the prevalence of alcohol-related issues within the community,” she said.

“It must be remembered though, that this is a commercial operation and one that, despite strong objection, has been approved by the court to be built. Many in the community would view this as bringing a level of commercial competition to Kwinana and would see it as a positive presence despite being a liquor outlet.”

Kwinana MLA Roger Cook said he did not believe the application was in the public interests of the community.

“The last thing I want to see in Kwinana is a flood of cheap alcohol being made available through the proliferation of liquor outlets,” he said.

“I think it’s an extraordinarily unfortunate decision. Within a stone’s throw you’ve got Liquorland and the Admiral, I can’t understand how it would be in the public interest to have another liquor outlet in such a small area.”

McCusker Centre for Action on Alcohol and Youth director Mike Daube said easier access to alcohol would inevitably lead to problems.

The decision to build a Dan Murphy’s alcohol superstore in Kwinana appears to be a big hit with the locals.

An overwhelming majority of residents surveyed told the Telegraph they were looking forward to having easy access to affordable alcohol.

Construction of the store, which is known for its cheap prices, is expected to begin in two weeks, despite concerns raised tha alcohol-related harm incidents could increase.

Tony Halpin, a 74-year-old retiree from Kwinana, said he was excited about the new store being located so close to his home.

“The more there are, the cheaper the beer,” he said.

“I have no issues with it being built, I think it’s a good thing.”

Pat Floan, 75, agreed saying that she did not see a reason as to why it should not be built, although Liquorland would always be her go-to store.

The closest Dan Murphy’s stores are located more than 20km away in Mandurah, Southern River and Canning Vale.

Leesa, a 43-year-old teaching assistant, said she sometimes drives to Mandurah to buy her alcohol, not just for the prices, but also for the wide variety of alcohol on offer.

“I like a lot of things you can buy from Dan Murphy’s, so it will be nice not to have to drive so far to get them,” she said.

“The only problem I have with it is Liquorland being ousted as much as it has been.”

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