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Council to challenge Dan Murphy's in Como

Media Release 29 May 2015
On Tuesday 26 May 2015, City of South Perth Council passed a motion at an Ordinary Council Meeting to challenge the approval of Dan Murphy’s liquor super-store on the existing Como Hotel site, corner of Canning Highway and South Terrace, South Perth.

The Council has approved the lodgement of a submission with the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor (DRGL) requesting the Dan Murphy’s liquor licence application be advertised for public comment to relevant organisations, including the City.

As part of the approved motion, the City has engaged a lawyer practicing in liquor licencing to prepare the grounds of an objection and arranged for a legal review of the Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP) decision to be undertaken. The Council has allocated $30,000 for the purpose of the objection and legal review.

City of South Perth Mayor Sue Doherty noted their application approved by the JDAP on 17 April 2015 had been previously presented to JDAP twice, and on each occasion the Council, community and local and federal politicians expressed their strong opposition. 

“I am extremely disappointed the JDAP decided to approve this barn-like development, contrary to a unanimous Council decision, with City officers and Main Roads WA recommendation to refuse,” said Mayor Doherty.

“The JDAP appears to have failed to properly consider the evidence about traffic and parking. Council believes current and future traffic issues as a result of the proposed re-development were ignored and should have been considered.”

“In my opinion, there is no need for a Dan Murphy’s in South Perth. The City of South Perth has 12 liquor outlets within a 4km radius of the Como Hotel site at present." 

Section 69 of The Liquor Control Act (1988) enables the City of South Perth to intervene in proceedings before the licensing authority and introduce evidence whether a premise is suitable for a liquor licence; whether an alteration or redefinition of a premises should be approved; or whether people who work or live in the vicinity would be negatively impacted upon. 

Mayor Doherty said, “The City believes persons who reside or work in the vicinity of the Como Hotel would be likely to suffer undue offence, annoyance, disturbance and inconvenience if Dan Murphy’s was to be built.”

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For media enquiries, please contact the City’s Communications Officer.

Media contact

For media enquiries, please contact the City’s Communications Officer.