Locals to fight liquor store

A Utakarra resident is up in arms over a proposal to build one of regional WA’s biggest liquor stores and a shopping centre next to his property.

The proposed 1200sqm Con’s Liquor Store would be the largest liquor store north of Perth, according to proponent Peter Jeffree.

Don Patten, who lives next door to the proposed site, fears the development will attract more antisocial behaviour and devalue the land in the surrounding residential area.

“I don’t want another liquor store here because they’re going to build a car park right up to my block,” he said.

“We already get people jumping our fences.

“We’ve already got shops just up the road and a bottle shop right here. This will cause our property value to go down.”

Mr Patten’s property adjoins the western boundary of vacant land that was granted development approval by the City of Greater Geraldton on February 18 for a liquor store, fast food outlet and shops.

It is also located next to Utakarra IGA Liquor store.

PDJ Geraldton Pty Ltd has applied for the granting of a liquor store licence from the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor.

Mr Jeffree, who is the sole director and shareholder, said Geraldton residents would benefit from a greater variety of alcohol products and specialised customer service.

There will be no drive-through service.

“We want people to come into the store and talk to staff,” he said.

“Handing people a bottle of wine is an experience. We want people to drink better.

“My philosophy is drink better and less. If you have better products on offer, people will buy it.”

Mr Jeffree said he was aware of community concerns about operating a liquor store in a lower socioeconomic area and said the store would not sell four-litre wine casks.

He said responsible service of alcohol was also in the best interests of attracting customers.

The owner of Utakarra IGA Plus Liquor store Colin Findlay acknowledged the large-format store was likely to have an impact on his business, but said it would also be detrimental to the whole city.

“The Mid West and points north of Perth have their own special needs. If this (large format store) was a requirement we’d already be doing it. We don’t need a large-format store in Geraldton,” he said.

Rangeway Utakarra Karloo Progress Association president Corryne Bull was not opposed to having a large liquor store in Geraldton, but said she did not want it in Utakarra.

She says other residents are also opposed to having another liquor outlet in their neighbourhood.

“We are trying to curb anti- social behaviour so a bigger liquor store will ruin all that we are trying to achieve, ” Ms Bull said.

She invited people who were for or against the liquor licence application to attend the association’s next meeting at 5.30pm on Monday at Rangeway Community Centre in Levy Street.

“If we get a sense that people are opposed to the application, then we can prepare a group submission,” she said. “Otherwise we will encourage people to make their own objections.”

Further information about the Utakarra liquor application can be obtained from the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor. Objections may be lodged with department until April 28.

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