Under the Liquor Control Art (Vic) 1987, the Council of a municipality is primarily responsible for planning, building, health and fire standards. The local council, in conjunction with the Police, is also responsible for ensuring that the amenity of the immediate neighbourhood is not compromised by the establishment or conduct of licensed premises. Specifically, local government has the following responsibilities in relation to liquor licensing:
1. Planning Authority: The Commission requires applicants for grant or variation of liquor licences to present documentary evidence of panning permit approval, Local government may therefore develop and apply planning schemes to revert their planning objectives in respect of licensed premises. panning schemes may, if authorities choose, include controls which relate to "use of premises", "hour of trade'` and "number allowed on premises".
Once Responsible Authorities grant a town planning permit, the Liquor Licensing Commission cannot countermand the conditions on that permit. The Commission is a referral authority in respect of all permit applications for licensed premises. The Commission will advise in regard to:
Residential amenity
Control of noise
Number of persons on the premises
Car parking.
In regard to the granting of town planning permits, responsible authorities should consider:
The annual use allowed
The maximum number of patrons permitted on the licensed premises at any time.
The hour of operation of the use.
As well as the above authorities, the police have a role in the order management of and approvals for hotels.
ROLE OF POLICE
Licensing Inspectors are officers of the Victoria Police who are located in specífic districts. They have an administrative and enforcement rote to play and assist the Commission:
By providing information on the suitability of applicants to hotel a licence or permit.
By enforcing the provisions of the Act and instigating proceedings as necessary in under the Act.
By applying for variations under s65 of the Act
Facilitating local co-operative arrangements with licensees.