By Alesha Capone
MORE than 150 liquor licensing breaches have been detected in Wyndham since the State Government’s alcohol surveillance authority began inspections last year.
Since Responsible Alcohol Victoria’s Compliance Directorate (RAVCD) began operating in July 2009, its officers have conducted more than 230 liquor licensing inspections within the municipality.
“During this time, inspectors identified more than 150 breaches, with a number of venues recording either multiple breaches or no breaches at all,” a spokesperson for the directorate said.
More than 75 warning and voluntary compliance letters were issued to Wyndham liquor outlets and businesses between July last year and 19 October this year.
“A warning letter is sent when the licensee has not addressed previously identified breaches,” the RAVCD spokesperson said.
“They are important in tracking the licensee’s compliance history and may be used in later disciplinary proceedings if the non-compliance continues.”
The Compliance Directorate also gave six infringement notices to Wyndham outlets, including for supplying liquor “not in accordance with the law”. Wyndham alcohol providers were also penalised for supplying liquor to a person in a state of intoxication, failing to produce a copy of their plan and failing to display notices required by state’s Director of Liquor Licensing.
Supplying liquor to drunk people can result in a maximum penalty of $14,334.
Failing to display notices required by the liquor licensing director can incur a maximum $597 fine.
The RAVCD said the rate of Wyndham’s liquor licensing offences showed some businesses and outlets were unaware of their legal obligations.
“While the majority of breaches identified by the Compliance Directorate appear to be relatively minor, it can demonstrate a lack of awareness among licensees about their most basic obligations under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998,” the spokesperson said.
Last year, Wyndham City Council collected almost $7000 in fines for unruly drinking behaviour, with more than 30 people penalised for drinking in public.
In its community health plan for the next three years, the council has committed to reducing alcohol consumption and binge drinking by young people in Wyndham.
