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A STORM of controversy has erupted over a council decision to sell a prime parcel of public land to liquor giant Dan Murphy’s amid fears it could worsen the city’s alcohol-related violence epidemic.
Police, local hoteliers and outraged residents have condemned Tamworth Regional Council’s sale of Prince of Wales Park to Dan Murphy’s parent company Woolworths, claiming it was forced through without public consultation and would escalate alcohol abuse in Tamworth.
The city is already home to 17 liquor outlets – one of the highest concentrations of bottle shops per capita in Australia.
A development application was lodged with council earlier this month for an $18.5-million Woolworths/ Dan Murphy’s development at the site, which encompasses the old Weston factory and Prince of Wales Park.
Local engineer Bill Bryan, whose business neighbours the proposed development, accused councillors of “gross hypocrisy” in allowing the park to be sold for a liquor outlet.
“We have councillors running around saying how horrible the alcohol-related violence is and now they sell a designated ‘royal’ park for a Dan Murphy’s superstore ... it’s very hypocritical,” Mr Bryan said.
He said the development would also rob local families of a valuable play facility and cause a traffic snarl near its Murray St entrance.
The land has been purchased by Moree car dealer Theo Zannes, who is expected to lease the block back to Woolworths if the development is approved by the state Joint Regional Planning Panel.
Oxley Local Area Command acting commander Jeff Budd said another liquor retailer could only add to the “frightening incidence of alcohol-related violence in Tamworth”.
“Just this past weekend, we had 21 events directly related to alcohol in Tamworth,” Acting Superintendent Budd said.
“As a community, we are already heavily impacted by alcohol consumption at home and the question has to be asked, is there a need to have more alcohol available in Tamworth?
“The data from health about the alcohol-related presentations to the emergency department here is frightening.”
He said Tamworth had more than double the number of alcohol retailers compared to similar-sized centres like Dubbo, which has eight, and Bathurst, seven.
But others, including Tamworth mayor Col Murray, have welcomed the proposed development, saying it would provide jobs and choice for residents.
“The reality is, whether there’s five, 10 or 20 outlets, would it really influence the amount of liquor people choose to buy?” Cr Murray said. “A Dan Murphy’s would provide another purchasing option for consumers and in the end, should we really be stopping progress?”
The answer to those questions, according to Tamworth Liquor Accord project officer John Begley, was a resounding yes.
“Our brief is to lessen the bad effects of alcohol and with more outlets, that task is much harder,” Mr Begley said. “Council has come out and spoken about closing venues earlier in town and it doesn’t make sense that they would now do this.
“It’s well documented alcohol has the potential to cause crime, domestic violence and antisocial behaviour issues, and here we are welcoming the largest discounter of alcohol in Australia to Tamworth.”