Alcohol is sold through a variety of different types of outlets in Victoria, including hotels, bottle shops, restaurants and clubs. Data on the wholesale sales of alcoholic beverages in Victoria is no longer collected. However information on the number and type of liquor licences issued by Consumer Affairs Victoria, Business Licensing and Regulation (formerly Liquor Licensing Victoria -LLV) is available, and from this data outlet density can be examined as a proxy for sales and consumption data.

There are numerous liquor licence types and these have been grouped into eight categories:

1. Clubs

2. Hotels and Pubs: Pubs, hotels and taverns

3. Off Licences: Supply liquor to customers to take away. Retail liquor stores and supermarkets.

4. On-Premises: Supply liquor to customers for drinking on the premises. Restaurants, bars and cafes.

5. Producer-Distributor: ‘Pre-retail’ supply liquor to other licensees to on sell to their customers. Wholesalers, producers, brewers and liquor importers.

6. Residential

7. BYO: Allow customers to bring their own liquor to drink on the premises. Restaurants and clubs that do not intend to hold a liquor licence

8. Limited: Includes ‘temporary limited licence’ - temporary or short-term supply of liquor to customers or club members for drinking on the premises. Persons or organisations holding one off events such as a ball or presentation night, extension of trading hours for a one off event, a series of events over a limited season e.g. theatre or racing carnival. ‘Renewable Limited Licence’ – bed and breakfasts, caravan parks, small wineries, internet vendors, other businesses e.g. florists. (Consumer Affairs Victoria



Table 66 shows the liquor licences distributed across type of licence and outlet density for each area shown.

This table shows:

·  There were 16 632 active liquor licences in Victoria as of 31st January 2005.

·  The city of Greater Geelong has the lowest outlet density compared with other Barwon South Western region LGAs, the region and the state (36 licensed premises per 10 000 resident population over 15 years).

·  The city of Warrnambool also has a relative low outlet density, compared with other Barwon South Western region LGAs (41 licensed premises per 10 000 resident population over 15 years).

·  All other LGAs have outlets densities that are higher than the state average.

·  The borough of Queenscliffe and Surf Coast shire have much higher outlet densities, which can be attributed to a combination of low population numbers and being tourist destinations.

·  Outlet densities are higher for the Southern Grampians-Glenelg PCP and South West PCP, compared with the Barwon PCP.

·  Most licences are for ‘on premises’ and Clubs. This is consistent for all areas shown.

·  The distribution across types of liquor licences is similar between the Barwon South Western region totals and the whole state.