Appeal about bottle shop permit extended

THE City of Greater Geelong council will extend the deadline allowing people to appeal a decision about a proposed bottle shop in Portarlington to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Letters to advertise the application to change the restaurant and cafe liquor licence at 62 Newcombe Street (occupied by the Tandoori Mahal restaurant) to a packaged liquor licence were sent out by the council on July 10, and the advertising period closed on August 1.
The council decided to grant the permit on September 7 but Portarlington resident Lou Paynter, who was among the objectors, said the decision was not widely communicated.
“The council didn’t let us know of the outcome, which was to grant the permit, and we only have 28 days from the decision time to object again.”
She said nearly 60 people objected to the permit, so it should have been called in by the council.
“Would they have ever discovered that only one third of the objectors had received the update and time frame for appeal?
“Will they extend the appeal time now we are already days into the appeal process?
“Why have they decided that this is a good business for the town when there are so many objectors with worthwhile and legitimate objections?”
Ms Paynter said she was told only 20 of the 58 objectors received the decision outcome.
“We already have several alcohol outlets in town, not to mention numerous wineries and breweries. This is the last thing needed in our town – what is the City of Greater Geelong thinking when they are meant to be taking into account planning of towns?”
She urged the City of Greater Geelong council to rethink granting the permit.
“We rely on them to make good decisions for our town, and this is not one of those for many reasons,” she said.
The city’s director of planning, design and development Gareth Smith said all objectors were eventually notified.
“While there was an initial hold up, all objectors have been advised of the decision. In recognition of the delay, the VCAT appeal timeline has been extended.”
In response to a question whether the application should have gone before the council, Mr Smith said “officers have the delegated authority to decide on the application”.