Local hotel licensees face increases of up to 1000% in their liquor licence fees if the Brumby government gets away with its next ‘grab for cash’ according to Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes.
Dr Sykes said, “I was first alerted to the liquor licence fee hike last week by Carl Durnin, licensee of the White Hart Hotel in Longwood.
“Carl’s liquor licence fees will rise from $578 in 2008 to $957 in 2009 to $2,130 in 2010.
“I have alerted all hotels and liquor outlets in the Benalla Electorate and many restaurants and bars.
“Their response is one of unanimous outrage with estimated fee increases ranging between 200% and 1000%.”
Dr Sykes continued, “The new liquor licence fees are supposed to ensure that high risk liquor outlets and bars with which the current levels of violence are being associated should meet the additional costs of law enforcement.”
The new liquor licence fees comprise a base fee, a loading for late night licence, another loading for larger establishments and a penalty fee for licensees who have had an infringement in the past.
“This makes sense, but when you apply the formula to local pubs and liquor outlets it results in outrageous fee increases.
“I have spoken to a number of local licensees, all of whom anticipate fee increases of between 200% and 1000%.”
Some of the price hikes and anomalies are:
White Hart Hotel, Longwood, population 150
Fees: 2008 – $578, 2009 – $957, 2010 – $2130
Infringements: zero
Clientele – Baby boomers wanting to enjoy a pleasant meal in their local pub.
(These people are not known for unruly behaviour).
North East Hotel, Benalla
Fees: 2008 – $578, 2009 – $957, 2010 – $4260
Infringements: one – an underage person was found in possession of alcohol in the hotel car park.
(Not quite in the same league as the glassings and bashings which we read about outside Melbourne Night Clubs.)
Happy Valley Hotel, Ovens, population 130
Fees: 2008 – $578, 2009 – $957, 2010 $4260
Clientele: Hotel caters for locals and seasonal tourists
Settlers Tavern, Tawonga South
Fees: 2009 – $957, 2010 – $3195
Infringements: zero
Clientele: locals and seasonal tourists
Fees based (in part) on maximum capacity which was recently extended to accommodate new anti smoking legislation. Maximum accommodation capacity is rarely reached.
Others to provide feedback to me include:-
- Falls Creek (six restaurants/bars)
- The Bright Historic Oriental Boutique Hotel
- The Tatong Tavern
- The Farmers Arms, Benalla
- The Kevington Hotel
- The Victoria Hotel, Benalla
- Attunga Alpine Lodge, Falls Creek
- Porepunkah Hotel
- Arlberg Hotel, Mt Buller
All of these hotels are integral parts of our local communities – the place where country people and families go to catch up with other people, relax and enjoy each others company.
Local wineries who host the occasional wedding or large function are also expected to cop a massive fee hike.
Many of these hotels “step up to the plate” in times of need.
For example, the Farmers Arms Benalla has raised tens of thousands of dollars each year for the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal.
And the Happy Valley Hotel was a local unofficial refuge providing food, showers, shelter and compassion to people burnt out by the Mudgegonga fires.
“I and my Liberal National Coalition colleagues will raise these gross inequities when the Liquor Control Reform Amendment (Licencing) Bill 2009 is debated in Parliament this week.
“I encourage publicans and patrons to also voice their concerns immediately.
“We must send a message to the Brumby Government – go back to the drawing board and re-work your calculations to ensure that country pubs and liquor outlets are not punished for the misdemeanours of patrons at large CBD night clubs.”
