‘No’ to Christmas spirits

By Casey Neill
THE Liquor Licensing Board gave Tecoma residents a welcome Christmas gift, rejecting plans for a drive-through bottle shop last month.
Last September locals raised concerns over a proposed Beer Wine Spirits (BWS) outlet at the former Flash Car Care site on Burwood Highway.
On 18 December the LLB rejected a liquor licence application for the Woolworths store.
More than 20 residents attended a four-hour licence hearing on 19 November.
Parents from Tecoma Primary School and Preschool, residents and business owners raised concerns about litter, drinking in the streets and traffic congestion.
They also argued the proposed store was too close to the primary school and was inappropriate in a 40km/h school zone.
Other objectors included the Director of Housing, Uniting Church and Wesley Mission.
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn raised issues around truck access and deliveries.
“The site was completely inappropriate for this type of business and it is heartening to see that the LLB has upheld the concerns of the community,” she wrote on her blog.
Woolworths contacted Cr Dunn on 23 December to assure her they would not appeal the decision.
Carlisle Court resident Bill Dobbin was “absolutely rapt”.
“It was never the right project for the location,” he said.
Carlisle Court is located next door to the proposed store and is home to over 55s.
“The thought of drunken hoons wandering in their front yard terrifies residents,” Mr Dobbin said.
“Woolworths should be commended for not pursuing it any further.”
The Mail contacted Woolworths but did not receive a response before going to print.