WA RESTRICTIONS ON ALCOHOL SALES LIFTED

 

 

It is rather surprising that the WA State Government has lifted the restrictions on alcohol sales after just a short period of only allowing people to only buy three bottles of wine plus a bottle of spirits per day, or a carton of beer and a bottle of spirits, etc.

The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education-FARE– reports that the consumption of alcohol in households has increased by 70% during the Covid-19 socialising restrictions, and media reports claim that the sale of alcohol from bottleshops has also gone through the roof.

The restriction the WA State Government put up were to prevent an increase in domestic violence and long-term health damage from excessive use of alcohol, so why that suddenly no longer applies is anyone’s guess.

Roel Loopers

 

HAVING A DRINK NOT A PRIORITY

 

I am surprised to read that the Australian Hotel Association is outraged about the booze buying restrictions the WA Government has introduced, but I also question the effectiveness of the restrictions.

People who want alcohol will still be able to buy it, and in more than sufficient quantities that should last a few days, and can then go back and buy alcohol again the next day, or whenever wanted, so none of the alcohol outlets will suffer from a lack of sales.

People could also go to different bottleshops on the same day and stock up, so that makes me wonder how effective the restrictions will be.

What also worries me is that by restricting the sale of alcohol the government creates a situation where people might leave their home more often to restock, when social distancing and staying at home is so important to try to beat the coronavirus spread.

But I do know the harm alcohol can do, and bored people sitting at home, starting to drink earlier than normal, and the risk of domestic violence in homes.

The world has never had to deal with a crisis as big as Covid-19 and governments try to do their very best, make policy on the run, and react. That is not perfect but it requires leadership to make unpopular decisions.

The McGowan government in WA is doing a good job in my humble opinion, so let’s stop whinging about only being able to buy a carton of beer and a bottle of spirits per day, when hundreds of thousands of people have lost their jobs, and many more will follow, and when many businesses will go bankrupt and never open again. Having a drink really is not a priority!

Stay well, Freo!

Roel Loopers

BOOZE BUY RESTRICTIONS IN WA FROM TODAY

 

 

Buying of alcohol in WA will be restricted from this morning to only a carton of beer, cider or premixed, OR 3 bottles of wine, OR one litre of spirit, OR one litre of fortified wine.

A combination of any two is permitted, e.g a carton of beer and three bottles of wine, etc.

Roel Loopers

BOOZE BRAWN BRAINLESS FREMANTLE

 

 

 

When on the early Sunday morning walk through Fremantle the first thing one sees is vandalism, one knows that there is something wrong in our society, where the entitlement I do what I want is not restricted to some politicians, but to other morons as well.

Idiots had pushed over the big dinosaur in front of the Fremantle market at night and owner Tony just arrived when I took a photo of it.

The Fremantle Community Safety Rangers came to the rescue and helped Tony lift the heavy attraction back on its feet.

Walking further down town there was a racket coming from the balcony of the Fremantle Beach Backpackers in High Street just after 7am, with loud music and swearing, and I understand there are very often complaints of antisocial behaviour from and near the hostel.

The I don’t care attitude of far too many people, and the impact it has on the community, needs to be better addressed by our governments and police.

Fremantle will have more taverns and bars in the near future, because we live in a society where the desire for activation appears to equal the consumption of alcohol, and there needs to be a way of restricting the number of alcohol outlets through our planning system.

Roel Loopers

 

 

BOTTLESHOP FOR KAKULAS?

 

The Fremantle CBD will get a new bottleshop, if Fremantle Council and the liquor licensing authorities approve the application for a new liquor store at Kakulas Sister in Market Street.

It is probably a clever move by the owners as Liquorland in the Woolstores shopping centre will close for the hotel development there for a year, once that has been approved by JDAP.

But those in the inner city who like a wee drop should not despair anyway as there still is a bottleshop on the corner of High Street and Josephson Street and the very good Freo Doctor one in Arundel Street.

The application for developing a bottleshop is before the Fremantle Council Planning Committee this Wednesday.

Roel Loopers

SOUTH FREMANTLE TAVERN RAISES CONCERNS

 

There are serious concerns in the South Fremantle community about a proposed tavern, brewery and distillery on the former Sealanes site at 176-238 Marine Terrace.

Locals believe there is already ample supply of alcohol-related outlets in the area and that parking issues will escalate even more. They are also worried about noise, smells and anti social behaviour in the adjoining residential streets.

The proposal by the Running with Thieves brewery is for a micro-brewery that would be able to produce 1 million litres of beer, plus a distillery that would make gin, vodka, rum and whiskey.

There would also be a bar, restaurant and retail outlet, so unless substantial parking bays will be provided on site it would severely affect parking for locals and people visiting South Beach and the sunset markets, and those who commute on the CAT bus to the train station.

Submissions for the proposal closed on February 15, but many locals complain they had not been made aware of it and are scrambling to voice their opposition to the plans.

Although the official submission period is over there is still plenty of time to contact Fremantle Councillors. You can reach them all together here: members@fremantle.wa.gov.au

Roel Loopers

 

NEW BARS FOR FREO’S OLD SYNAGOGUE

 

 

 

 

New plans for the former Fremantle synagogue on the corner of South Terrace and Parry Street near Fremantle Oval have come to light, but still depend on Fremantle Council planning approval and a liquor license.

The Old Synagogue would offer a beer garden on three levels, with a rooftop bar, while the restaurant would offer fine dining with an Asian twist to it.

The basement bar of The Old Synagogue will be offering cocktails in a more relaxed and intimate setting, while the street-level bar would embrace the Freo vibes and offer craft beer and pub food.

The City of Fremantle is currently in the process to develop Fremantle Oval with a residential and commercial part and the relocation of the East Fremantle Football Club to the oval, so the new venue, opposite the Norfolk Hotel might well become an additional attraction for the precinct.

Already plans have been approved for a small boutique hotel and tavern at the Warders Cottages directly east of the Fremantle Markets, and another hotel, tavern and entertainment centre by Silverleaf Investments has been approved for the former police and justice complex and Warders Cottages also in Henderson Street. Just east of that development the former Drillhall has been turned into The Social Club live music venue by Sunset Events, that will open in March this year.

There is a lot going on in Fremantle, and that is a good thing, but I am a bit worried that there is too much concentration on making it into an alcohol-related entertainment centre.

Roel Loopers

LIQUOR STORE FOR SOUTH FREMANTLE IGA?

 

Just as I did my daily shopping at South Fremantle IGA on Hampton Road this afternoon a large sign was put up that they have applied for a partial change of use for stores 10 and 11 into a liquor store.

Aldi in South Fremantle still is not selling alcohol, but Liquorland and Dan Murphy are just down the road and there is also a liquor store at the Moondyne Joe pub, so does South Freo need another one?

Have your say and tell Fremantle Council what you prefer.

Roel Loopers

LITTLE CREATURES AT THE HELM

 

 

 

Fremantle Litte Creatures upstairs bar Next Door is no longer but will re-open as HELM mid this month, so go and have a look.

Little Critters is also celebrating their 18th anniversary this month, so check out the Facebook page for special events.

Roel Loopers

FREMANTLE WANTS BALANCED CBD DEVELOPMENT

 

The number of planning applications for new taverns and hotels in the Fremantle CBD has forced Fremantle Council into action to assure that the inner city will not become just an entertainment centre with lots of alcohol related outlets, but that an appropriate mix of use will be guaranteed.

POLICY: Development within the City Centre zone should contribute towards its function as an attractive urban centre offering a full range of functions and land uses that collectively serve both local and regional catchments.

Development involving Hotel and Tavern land uses should contribute to this objective by ensuring that the type and scale of the venue are suitable to their location and avoid concentration of alcohol related entertainment to the point that this undermines balanced mixing of land uses.

1. Specifically, Hotel and Tavern establishments of 400m2 licenced NLA or greater within the City Centre zone shall demonstrate how the proposal contributes to land use diversity through the provision of a mix of other compatible land uses on the site. This may be demonstrated by the inclusion in the same development application of floor area for other uses equal to or greater than the floor area proposed for tavern or hotel use, or evidence of how other existing uses on the same site can operate alongside the proposed use in a complimentary manner that contributes to diversity and activation in the city centre.

2. Council may, at its discretion, vary 1, above: a. For small sites with limited physical opportunity to provide land use diversity on site, where it is satisfied an appropriate land use mix and diversity is maintained in the immediate locality (namely the street block). b. In cases where a proposal involves reuse of a heritage listed building where: The building was designed and traditionally operated for the land use sought; or The 400m2 licenced NLA criteria is marginally exceeded in response to the existing building layout.

3. In assessing development applications involving the serving of alcohol, Council seeks to avoid duplications of the assessment of matters undertaken by the Director of Liquor Licencing or the Liquor Commission as part of the liquor licencing approval process under the Liquor Control Act 1989 (including hours of operation, patron capacity and public interest). 

There will be a public consultation period for this policy proposal.

Roel Loopers