Anger at taverns for boozy town

Alex de Vos
Residents have demanded authorities halt distribution of more liquor licences in “boozy” Torquay after last week’s Independent revealed plans for two taverns in Bell Street.
Surf Coast Community and Ratepayers Association’s Spencer Leighton was “absolutely against” at the tavern plans.
“The ratepayers association says no, no, no to more liquor licences but they (authorities) seem to be handing them out like junk mail,” Mr Leighton said.
“We’ve got enough licensed venues in Torquay – we don’t need any more.”
Mr Leighton feared that the proposed taverns would lead to a spike in public drunkenness.
“I’ve lived in the vicinity and for years we’ve had drunk people leaving the pub and walking up the street urinating, making noise and vandalising property,” he said.
“A lot of old people live here and it’s only going to get worse with another couple of night venues.”
The association’s Lyn Smith opposed the taverns on public safety grounds.
“It comes back to the safety issue of keeping glass off the streets,” Ms Smith said.
“I think they (the taverns) are terrible and they’re not going to help reduce public drunkenness.”
Ms Smith described Torquay as a “boozy bunch of people”
“The last thing we need is another liquor licence,” she said.
Surf Coast Shire last week approved a planning permit for a tavern for up to 120 patrons.
The venue would occupy the premises of Ripe Lounge and an adjoining former wine bar.
The shire’s planning committee gave the tavern a green light to operate until midnight weekdays and to 1am on weekends.
Surf Coast Shire received objections from residents and business owners concerned about increased noise, parking and activities common to larger hotels such as live music.
Torquay business owner Max Findlay, who was an objector to the tavern, revealed to the Independent his own plan for a licensed venue behind his Nocturnal Donkey restaurant.
Mr Findlay said he would apply again for a permit to operate a tavern after Surf Coast Shire knocked back his initial attempt four years ago on parking grounds.