Amidst mounting concern about the widespread availability and consequent misuse of alcohol in Byron Bay, the well-known supermarket chain ALDI is seeking a licence to trade beer wine and spirits from its downtown premises.
Concerns have been raised that the discount operator would be able to undercut local bottleshops, not only affecting their trade but further adding to the amount of alcohol consumed locally, especially by younger visitors.
The licence application has attracted strong opposition from Byron Shire Council, the town’s Liquor Accord and the BUDDI Drug Action Team, according to the Northern Star (9 June 2014).
The paper’s front-page report quoted BUDDI’s Nicqui Tazdi: “If ALDI gets a licence, we’re worried it will set a precedent allowing supermarkets in Byron Bay to sell alcohol.”
The town already has more licences than the state average, BUDDI says, and a high rate of alcohol related violence and DUI offences.
ALDI has a strong online presence where the cheapest wine currently on offer retails at $2.69 per bottle.
The firm’s online liquor store commenced trading on 1 August, 2013, a date its website describes as a ‘world first’ for the supermarket chain
In addition to online, many ALDI supermarkets sell alcohol, ninety of them in NSW, including Lismore – just down the road from the Woolworths-owned liquor giant Dan Murphy’s - Grafton and Tweed Heads, and a greater number in Victoria.
