Comments on: Mood change in council on grog issues? http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/2012/10/16/mood-change-in-council-on-grog-issues/ The freedom of the press still furnishes that check upon government which no constitution has ever been able to provide - Chicago Tribune. Thu, 23 May 2013 10:12:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: David Chewings http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/2012/10/16/mood-change-in-council-on-grog-issues/#comment-4888 David Chewings Thu, 18 Oct 2012 08:01:18 +0000 http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/?p=10488#comment-4888 Re your October 18 post, you raise a very good point Hal Duell. The casino (and gambling in general) in your ‘back yard’ is seen as a sacred cow and it very difficult to challenge the status quo even with the most objective of eyes.
On this matter your opinion is refreshing. Good luck.
Regards, David Chewings aka THE lone dingo

]]> By: Hal Duell http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/2012/10/16/mood-change-in-council-on-grog-issues/#comment-4884 Hal Duell Thu, 18 Oct 2012 06:40:33 +0000 http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/?p=10488#comment-4884 The issue last Monday night was the Rock Bar’s application to extend its trading hours from 1am to 2am.
Montes just down the street advertises its hours from 11am till late. Not sure how late is late.
Bojangles, next door to the Rock Bar is open, I think, until 4am.
So I’m with those Councillors who do not object to the Rock Bar staying open an extra hour.
But where I do agree with Mayor Ryan is in wondering why gambling licenses, or changes to existing licenses, are not subject to public debate.
Or are they?
If they are, then why wasn’t Council asked for its opinion?

]]> By: Kieran Finnane http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/2012/10/16/mood-change-in-council-on-grog-issues/#comment-4878 Kieran Finnane Thu, 18 Oct 2012 04:41:07 +0000 http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/?p=10488#comment-4878 The casino’s application in March 2011 was to extend trading by one hour on Friday and Saturday nights, from 3am closing to 4am closing. The NTG’s Licensing and Regulation sought council’s views. Council officers recommended that aldermen not object as the extended hours were not seen as adversely affecting the amenity of the neighbourhood nor the “health, education, public safety or social conditions in the community”. This reasoning seems to have been accepted by the majority. The minutes do not record any dissent. Our report on the issue, dated April 14, 2011, shows that the application “was enthusiastically supported by Aldermen Samih Habib, Murray Stewart and Eli Melky”. Mayor Ryan on this occasion was more concerned about the casino’s plans to increase the number of poker machines at the venue and “stressed his frustration that council is asked for its views on liquor issues but not on gambling, which he thinks does present a real concern for the town”.

]]> By: Vicki Gillick http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/2012/10/16/mood-change-in-council-on-grog-issues/#comment-4871 Vicki Gillick Thu, 18 Oct 2012 02:28:23 +0000 http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/?p=10488#comment-4871 NT Licensing Commission decisions (and reasons for decisions) can be found on its website:

http://www.nt.gov.au/justice/commission/decisions.shtml
Go through the alphabetical list to find the one you want to read.

]]> By: Hal Duell http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/2012/10/16/mood-change-in-council-on-grog-issues/#comment-4861 Hal Duell Wed, 17 Oct 2012 14:12:54 +0000 http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/?p=10488#comment-4861 @Leigh Childs
The Gapview had an application to vary its take-away trading hours extended. Unless I’m mistaken, the Casino would have asked for an extension of its on-site trading hours. I’m not sure they even do take-away.
Big difference, although if you follow Bob’s advise and ask the commission, it would be interesting to hear their reply.

]]> By: Bob Durnan http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/2012/10/16/mood-change-in-council-on-grog-issues/#comment-4849 Bob Durnan Wed, 17 Oct 2012 03:39:00 +0000 http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/?p=10488#comment-4849 Leigh (Posted October 16, 2012 at 11:51 pm) – I very much doubt that either the Town Council or the Licensing Commission is going to start replying to questions posed in the comments section of the Alice Springs News Online. However, in the past the Licensing Commission has been very responsive to direct enquires, which is probably what you need to do if you want your second question answered.

]]> By: Leigh Childs http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/2012/10/16/mood-change-in-council-on-grog-issues/#comment-4840 Leigh Childs Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:21:37 +0000 http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/?p=10488#comment-4840 Did the recent successful application for extended hours by the casino also go through Council? Why was it allowed, when a smaller venue has its application knocked back?

]]> By: Hal Duell http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/2012/10/16/mood-change-in-council-on-grog-issues/#comment-4823 Hal Duell Tue, 16 Oct 2012 03:03:09 +0000 http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/?p=10488#comment-4823 I fully support council’s unanimous decision to write a letter to NT Gaming and Licensing asking for sufficient time for council’s meeting cycle to take place before the deadline for their objections, if any, to be conveyed to the commission.
For some years now liquor license applications have been presented to council’s mid-month committee meetings with their decision to object or not expected before the ordinary meeting at the end of the month. Council doesn’t work that way. Recommendations are made in the mid-month meetings, and formally ratified at the end of the month.
If the commission is serious about asking council’s opinion, then they can give them enough time to form one.

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