BISSY’S Cafe’s controversial bid for a liquor licence has been given the green light more than a year after owner Fiona Rossiter lodged the application.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The application copped criticism from police and the Orange Ratepayers Association last year, who raised concerns about the residential location of the cafe and its close proximity to the skate park.
Orange police wrote a submission to the state government’s liquor licensing authority the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) on February 9 last year, calling for the authority to reject the Warrendine Street cafe’s application.
Inspector Bruce Grassick said there had since been negotiation between police and the liquor authority and the cafe would only be allowed to serve alcohol after the attached child learning facility was closed.
“Sometimes there is some flexibility with the conditions,” he said.
“Specifically [the conditions] related to the serving of alcohol and the timeframe, in particular, in relation to the childcare facility.
“Any serving of alcohol should not conflict with the childcare facility.”
Mr Grassick said the proximity of the skate park would have been considered by the liquor authority when assessing the licence application, but he was uncertain if police had formally withdrawn their concerns.
“We’re not the only ones who objected,” he said.
“Like all liquor licences it will be monitored all the time in conjunction with the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing (OLGR) to ensure they’ll be complying with the regulations.”
Former ratepayers association president Brian Wood publicly raised concerns about the liquor licence last February.
Yesterday he distanced himself from the application, saying the association never had anything to do with the licence and did not make a submission to the licensing authority or approach the police.
“At no time did we have any involvement. The comment I made at the time was off the cuff,” he said.
“If they’ve said she’s entitled to a licence, she’s entitled to the licence.”
He would not say if he still had concerns about safety in the area, now the licence had been given the OK, saying he had put the issue out of his mind.
Fiona Rossiter said she did not want to comment about the liquor licence approval.
clare.colley@fairfaxmedia.com.au