To Whom It May Concern,

We, the undersigned residents of Whittlesea and the surrounding community, write to formally object to the application for a packaged liquor licence at 19 Church Street, Whittlesea VIC 3757 (Application no: 77331A01).
This application raises serious concerns regarding the saturation of liquor outlets, public safety, amenity, and the well-being of our neighbourhood.

 

1. Oversaturation of Liquor Outlets Within a 500m Radius

The proposed licensed premises is located within 500 meters of three existing liquor outlets, all operating within proximity in the heart of our town:

Bottlemart Whittlesea – 38 Church Street
IGA Liquor – Shop 2/16 Church Street
Thirsty Camel Whittlesea, 
located nearby but still within a 500-metre radius. While Thirsty Camel is not situated directly on Church Street, it contributes to an already high concentration of liquor outlets in a small geographic area. Adding a fourth liquor store within this limited radius would result in excessive liquor outlet density, well beyond what is reasonable for a community of Whittlesea’s size and character.

Whittlesea is a modest-sized community with a population of approximately 6,117 residents. Four packaged liquor outlets within a 500-metre radius are disproportionate to the town's size and needs.            

Evidence consistently shows that increased liquor outlet density correlates with higher risks of:
• Alcohol-fuelled violence and disturbances
• Loitering and vandalism near shopfronts
• Increased underage access and irresponsible consumption
• Decline in neighbourhood amenity

The existing outlets are already sufficient to meet community demand. The introduction of a fourth packaged liquor licence—within close walking distance to the others—risks normalising excessive alcohol availability in a town known for its family-friendly values and peaceful environment.

 

2. Proximity to Schools and Parking Pressure

The proposed location at 19 Church Street lies within 400 meters of Whittlesea Primary School and just 450 meters from Whittlesea Secondary College, placing two major schools within very close walking distance of the site.

Church Street is the main street and central hub of Whittlesea, serving as the primary thoroughfare for both traffic and pedestrians. It is also the main walking route for local students. Every weekday afternoon, a significant number of schoolchildren walk home via Church Street, passing directly by this address. Introducing a liquor store at this location risks increased youth exposure to alcohol-related advertising, branding, and possibly anti-social behavior associated with alcohol misuse.

Furthermore, Church Street is already under heavy pressure with limited on-street parking only. During school pick-up and drop-off hours, congestion is frequent and often unsafe. A new packaged liquor outlet would exacerbate the situation by increasing vehicle traffic, double parking, and creating further risks for pedestrians, including children and elderly residents.

                    

3. Alcohol-Related Crime and Harm in Whittlesea

Alcohol has been identified as a contributing factor in a significant proportion of crime in our community. According to data from the Crime Statistics Agency Victoria, the Whittlesea (3757) area has seen a sharp increase in alcohol-related harm over the past five years:

Property damage (vandalism)frequently associated with intoxication—recorded 33 incidents in 2024, alongside 52 thefts, 31 assaults, and several cases of public nuisance or disorderly conduct in Whittlesea suburb.
Breaches of orders, such as family violence intervention breaches (an offence type often linked to alcohol misuse), numbered 53 cases in 2024 within postcode 3757.
These statistics reveal a troubling trend. Adding another liquor outlet would further increase access to alcohol and the risk of related harm in a town already under strain.

Compounding this issue is the limited availability of local law enforcement resources. While Whittlesea does have a police station, it is not staffed or open seven days a week. This inconsistency in local police presence raises serious concerns about the town’s ability to respond to alcohol-related incidents, particularly during weekends or peak times.

Compounding this issue is the limited availability of local law enforcement resources. While Whittlesea does have a police station, it is not currently staffed or open seven days a week. As a result, there may be times—particularly on weekends or during peak periods—when immediate local police response is unavailable. In such cases, the nearest operational station is in Mernda, approximately 11 kilometres away. This distance presents a real challenge to timely response in the event of alcohol-related disturbances or emergencies. Increased alcohol availability without adequate law enforcement coverage is a dangerous combination. Our town’s resources are already stretched, and approving a new liquor licence would only intensify that pressure.

 

Conclusion

We urge Liquor Control Victoria to reject the application for a packaged liquor licence at 19 Church Street, Whittlesea.

We believe Whittlesea deserves thoughtful, community-minded development that enhances public safety and wellbeing—not puts it at risk. The overwhelming consensus among residents is that this proposal is not in the public interest and would have a detrimental impact on the amenity, cohesion, and safety of our community.

Please find attached a petition table signed by members of the Whittlesea community who strongly support this objection and wish for their views to be considered by the licensing authority.