Backflip welcome on fees

By Tania Martin
A STATE Government backflip over licence renewal fees for bed and breakfast accommodation venues has been labelled as a ‘common sense’ move.
But some hills tourist operators have questioned why the government wasn’t refunding the fees already paid.
In January, the Mail reported that bed and breakfast owners had slammed a 400 per cent jump for limited use licences.
The price of serving alcohol at the tourist accommodation had gone from $93 a year to $397.
Goodwood Cottage’s Robyn Fung said the price hike was ‘unreasonable’ especially as alcohol was not their core business but an extra offered to guests on arrival.
Many bed and breakfast places in the hills offer complimentary drinks on arrival and a bottle of wine as part of a weekend package.
At the time, the State Government defended the move, saying it was part of a new risk-based licensing system to address alcohol-related violence.
But Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson last week announced the government would exempt bed and breakfast accommodation from paying licensing fees from 2011.
Although bed and breakfasts won’t have to pay the fees, they will need to notify liquor licensing of their intention to serve alcohol.
Mr Robinson said as part of the reform process, the government was continuing to examine different types of businesses such as bed and breakfast accommodation.
“Ongoing research and intelligence gathered has enabled us to exempt these small businesses from paying renewal fees with the confidence that they generally serve alcohol responsibly and therefore don’t cost the Victorian community much to regulate,” Mr Robinson said.
Dandenong Ranges Tourism’s Michael Axel said at last common sense had prevailed.
He said being able to offer a complimentary bottle of wine often added a touch of sophistication for visitors’ stays.
“It’s good to see it can now continue,” Mr Axel said.
He said it had been put in jeopardy by the exorbitant rises, with many bed and breakfasts considering not continuing with these extra touches.
“It (the fee hike) was just not suitable approach for at least the bed and breakfast side of the industry … it would have made it financially silly to provide this extra service for their guests,” Mr Axel said.
Kalorama’s Holly Gate House owner Loraine Potter was one of many who called for the government to reconsider its decision.
She said the exemption was a fantastic outcome but has questioned what was going to happen to those who had already paid the 2010 fees.
“I paid it under duress because I like to offer my guest that something extra,” Ms Potter said.
“I’ve paid nearly four years’ worth now.”
Ms Potter believes the State Government should at least reimburse some of the costs of the increased fees.
“It’s an awful lot of money to be able to offer your guests a drink,” she said.
A State Government spokesman said the exemptions started in 2011 and the fees would stand for this year.