Local government authorities

The VGCCC will not grant or vary a licence without adequate planning permission. All new liquor licence applications, as well as some variation applications, must be accompanied by planning approval from the local government authority or evidence that approval is not required.

The local government planning approval may also stipulate liquor trading hours. The VGCCC will not approve trading hours exceeding those specified in the relevant planning permission.

A local government authority may object to a liquor licence application on the grounds that the grant of a licence would detract from, or be detrimental to, the amenity of the area in which the premises is situated.

Local council may also object to packaged liquor licences on the ground that the grant would be conducive to or encourage the misuse and abuse of alcohol.

The VGCCC has developed a Local government liquor licence objection kit to provide councils with clearer guidelines about liquor licensing objections and applications. This kit is an additional resource for local councils; while objections must be in writing, you are not required to use the objection form in the kit.

More information is available on the Local government liquor licence objection kit page.

Local government authority representatives may attend local liquor forums and participate in the development of accords. More information is on the Liquor licensing forums and accords page.

Local government authorities may also introduce local laws limiting the places or times at which opened containers of liquor may be carried or consumed in public places, other than those licensed under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998.

A local government authority may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a licensee on a number of grounds. these include, but not limited to, that the licensee has conducted the business under a licence in a manner that is detrimental to the amenity of the area or that the licensee has contravened a condition of the licence.