By James Atkinson
A liquor regulator has refused a bid by Woolworths to open a Dan Murphy's liquor outlet next to a youth outreach centre.
Woolworths applied in January 2010 for a licence to open a Dan Murphy's outlet at Cockburn Gateway Shopping Centre in the southern Perth suburb of Success.
As well as the usual intervention by WA health authorities, various residents, along with the City of Cockburn, also objected to the application.
They submitted to the Liquor Commission of Western Australia that the proposed Dan Murphy's store was "directly adjacent" to the Cockburn Youth Centre, which provides services to a significant proportion of youths with mental health and substance abuse issues.
Liquor Commission chairman Jim Freemantle said Woolworths had not appropriately addressed the concerns raised by the EDPH and the City of Cockburn.
He said that while Woolworths had submitted considerable documentary evidence in support of its application, "much of it was repetitious and of little apparent evidence".
"Ultimately the Commission was of the view that… any benefit of increased competition, range of products and diversity of choice is outweighed by the potential harm and loss of amenity that would result if the application were to be granted," he said.
Six liquor stores, including a 1st Choice outlet, are located within a three kilometre radius of the proposed premises.