ORANGE will be home to another bottle shop from as early as September after discount grocery store Aldi was given the green light to sell alcohol.
The Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) granted the packaged liquor licence for Aldi earlier this year, a spokesman confirmed.
Bottles of wine will be available from as little as $2.49, cartons of full strength beer from $26.99, and bottles of vodka from $24.99 when liquor goes on sale.
Orange councillor Neil Jones said he was concerned about the addition of another liquor outlet to the city but admitted there was little that could be done to knock back the store.
“We’re already well served by bottle shops, supermarkets and hotels that provide alcohol at all price ranges,” he said.
“Aldi is a store that deals in bulk items and focuses on selling at rock bottom cost. It can only increase consumption ... there will undoubtedly be some impact. The evidence is the more alcohol outlets you have, there will be an increase in social issues.”
An Aldi spokeswoman said details were still being finalised but liquor would be available from either September or October at the Peisley Street store.
An ILGA spokesman said the authority determined each liquor application on its merits.
“It takes into account a range of matters including the location and scale of the proposed business, the benefits offered by that new business, its proximity to hospitals, schools, churches and parks, issues raised during the public consultation process, the density of licensed venues, socio-demographic data and alcohol-related crime statistics for the local and broader communities,” he said.
“By law the authority cannot approve a new liquor licence unless it is satisfied that the overall social impact of the proposed outlet will not be detrimental to the wellbeing of the local or broader community.”
Council spokesman Nick Redmond said the store did not need council consent to sell liquor unless the operating hours or configuration of the site was changed.
The Aldi spokeswoman said the store had no plans to extend its operating hours or make other changes.
Up to 75 individual alcohol lines will be on sale at the outlet with no refrigerated items available.
clare.colley@ruralpress.com
