Wine tastings at local fairs and festivals could be under threat as Bellarine wine growers digest the impact of massive licence fee increases

BY ALISON MARTIN

LOCAL winegrowers and tourism representatives are urging the State Government to re-think new licensing laws which threaten to "erode the Bellarine community as we know it".

The impact of new licence requirements on venues which present live music for patrons has been heavily publicised, with thousands of people taking their protest to the streets of Melbourne last month.

However, the impact of increased licence fees on local vineyards and Bellarine community events is only just being realised.

Wine growers could be forced to increase prices or simply not attend the Bellarine's fairs, festivals and fundraisers.

Bellarine Tourism chair, Hugo Armstrong, said the Bellarine and other regional areas were being "tarred with the same brush as a Melbourne nightclub".

"It appears to be a knee-jerk response but the blanket approach across Victoria shows the lack of thought that has gone into the changes to stop brawling and violence," he said.

Geelong Winegrowers Association (GWA) president, Lyndsay Sharp, said the new laws, introduced by the Victorian Government in January, were short-sighted and almost certainly guaranteed to sabotage numerous tourism activities in Geelong and throughout Victoria.

"The ramifications of the fee increases are already being seen - fewer local wineries are choosing to participate in public events such as festivals, farmers' markets, school and charity aligned fundraising activities and other public events," Sharp said.

"While the GWA endorses the Brumby government's desire to reduce alcohol-induced violence, taking a shotgun approach to this issue - and simply introducing unrealistic fee hikes across the board - has crippling and broad-reaching implications for the Victorian hospitality and tourism industries as well."

Sharp said since January, a vigneron's licence had increased by more than 100 per cent to $397.

"A limited renewable licence - to sell other wine and beer at a winery café - has increased by 698 per cent to $397," he said.

"A Temporary Liquor Licence - to attend one-off events - has increased by more than 300 per cent to $90.50."

Sharp said there were 62 members of the GWA and a vast majority of local wineries were small, family operated businesses that would now have to seriously consider whether to be involved in presenting and selling their wines at a range of public and community events throughout the year.

"It's a losing scenario all around - less wineries will become involved in tourism events designed to showcase local wine and less wine experiences will be on offer for the wine enthusiast to enjoy at cellar doors and public places," Sharp said.

"The state government will lose out as well when it finds it has dramatically reduced support for tourism ventures designed to attract people to Victoria."

She said the GWA would be pro-actively pushing for the new laws to be reconsidered.

Armstrong urged the Bellarine community to get behind the protest against licensing charges and write to their local member and Brumby about their concerns.

He said community events brought the Bellarine together and it would be a tragedy if they were impacted by increased licence-related costs, introduced to stop violence.

"We are trying to get people to visit and enjoy our local wines but how do you recoup the money and remain competitive?" he said.

"These changes could mean we lose our toe-hole in the tourism industry... Melbourne people will just take a cheap flight to Bali where you can listen to music and have a beer anywhere you like."

Armstrong also pointed out the licensing changes showed "a complete denial" about what's fuelling the violence, which primarily was happening late at night at city venues.

"It does nothing to address knife attacks and violence that are race related and drug related," he said.

"It's as if brawling is all the fault of alcohol and music... The government needs to target problem venues instead of penalising the Bellarine."

In response to the concerns, Member for Bellarine, Lisa Neville, said if businesses were struggling to pay their licensing fees, they could contact the Director of Liquor Licensing.

"Wineries are a significant contributor to the Bellarine economy, but it is reasonable for the liquor industry to cover its own costs, including the regulation, administration and policing of the industry," she said.

"Under the fees, wineries pay $397 each year, while a large late trading nightclub who may contribute to risky behaviour, can pay close to $20,000 a year."