General News
27 May, 2026
Booze shops in firing line
A PLAN to restrict the number of bottle shops in targeted Cairns suburbs has been shelved until 24 June, so that Cairns Regional Council can hold another workshop to review locations.
A motion put forward in last week’s meeting was to debate and vote on amendments to the council’s general policy on liquor licensing.
The amendments called for no trading before 10am and after midnight, with further restrictions applied in certain areas in the public interest and that no more bottle shops be introduced in the CBD or inner suburbs, because of “existing outlet saturation and the significant alcohol-related issues already experienced in these areas”.
The state government is responsible for liquor licensing decisions through its Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR).
Applicants apply to OLGR for the relevant permits and the OLGR must seek council comment on the impact of a proposed liquor outlet on the social amenity of the venues’ locality.
While the council is limited in its impact on licences, its policy provides officers with a framework to prepare relevant and consistent responses to the OLGR on applications.
In speaking to the motion, Division 3 Councillor Cathy Zeiger slammed the system and said local advice fell on “deaf ears”.
“Over the 12 years that I have been in council I don’t think I’ve seen an officer disapprove any applications,” she said.
“I’ve just had the fifth liquor outlet opened in Woree, for goodness sake. So what difference does our word make?
“We have to be aware of the social demographics of the area, the number of complaints about the venue, the type of venue, trading hours, noise impacts.
“And despite excellent policy and clear guidelines, it falls on deaf ears.”
As well as the Woree situation, Cr Zeigler said the White Rock shopping centre had two liquor outlets which was “insane”.
“Where is the social culpability of the state government bureaucracy that is making the decisions. [They’re] not listening to our officers who know what’s going on, on the ground.”
Cr Zeiger also believed the amendments did not go far enough and that all suburbs should be included, not just the city and inner suburbs.
The argument for keeping the targeted areas specific to certain lower socio-economic areas, was that it provided clarity for officers to focus on higher risk licencing applications.
Division 2 councillor Matthew Tickner said he supported greater scrutiny of bottle shops but believed the policy needed refining.
“We do have significant issues with alcohol,” the southside councillor said.
“I believe I have about eight detached bottle shops in my division … I would be advocating if we’re going suburb by suburb that we at least extend that down to the backside of Edmonton, including White Rock, Bentley Park, Mount Sheridan and Edmonton.”
Division 8 Councillor Rhonda Coghlan moved that the motion be laid on the table until 24 June and while further workshopping occurred.
