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ABC News
15 hours ago
- Health
- ABC News
Ninth bottle shop proposed for Swan Hill as councils lose veto power
Victorian councils want to retain their power of veto over new liquor outlets in country towns, amid fierce debate about the links between family violence and access to alcohol. In Swan Hill, a northern Victorian town ranked fifth in the state for family violence, mother and foster carer Bec Wolfe-Charles is among those objecting to a proposed new bottle shop. She wants more play spaces in her neighbourhood where she can spend time with her daughter, Eloise, rather than another liquor store in a town that already has eight. But she worries the decision to approve the bottle shop is being taken out of local hands. From July 1, Liquor Control Victoria will take responsibility for liquor licence decisions, stripping local councils of the right to refuse planning permits. Swan Hill's local government area has a population of 21,000. The I Can Smell A Dead Duck company has applied for planning permission to open a ninth liquor outlet in the town, a bottle shop in a former furniture store. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice and Community Safety said there was no cap on the number of liquor licences allowed in one town and that Swan Hill residents will still have the opportunity to object to the application when Liquor Control Victoria puts it on public notice. Swan Hill Rural City Council Mayor Stuart King said councils should have more, rather than less, control over new liquor store applications and is concerned that city-based bureaucrats will not properly understand what the town needs. The owners of I Can Smell A Dead Duck have been contacted for comment. Women's Health Loddon Mallee chief executive officer Kellie Dunn said communities like Swan Hill were right to push back. "If they are voicing that it is not right for them and that they feel that there is a saturation [of alcohol outlets], the government really needs to listen to them as part of the planning process," Ms Dunn said. An independent review into a Dan Murphy's store in Darwin in 2021 heard that the chain liquor store's operator, Endeavour Group, disputed the link between new bottle shops and more violence. But public health researchers say the link is clear. Data from the addiction treatment centre Turning Point showed that since 2018, paramedics had been called to about two alcohol-related incidents per week in Swan Hill, and alcohol was the most common drug found in intimate partner violence. "The more alcohol that is around a community, or the higher the availability, the more domestic violence and other harms occur in that community," strategic lead Rowan Ogeil said. Dr Ogeil said victim-survivors from socio-economic disadvantaged areas like Swan Hill were three-and-a-half times more likely to have an ambulance respond to interpersonal violence involving alcohol or drugs. In 2015, the Royal Commission into Family Violence recommended that liquor licensing rules consider the role of alcohol in family violence. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Community Justice and Safety said Liquor Control Victoria already considered social harms. If you need help immediately call emergency services on triple-0 A fortnight out from the change, the head of the Municipal Association of Victoria said there was no clarity on how "this major impact" would affect local government. "We will no longer be the people that determine whether the planning application is appropriate or not," MAV president Jennifer Anderson said. "A lot of councils may not be aware of the legislation. "But certainly, for those that are aware, like Swan Hill for example, it is a great concern because certain areas are known to have problems with alcohol, and so there may be areas where they have the knowledge to know this [application] is not appropriate." Cr Anderson said the MAV and its member councils had little knowledge of the new process under Liquor Control Victoria and the Department of Planning, other than that local councils could make a submission to Liquor Control Victoria if they wanted to. The Department of Planning has not provided a formal response to the ABC's queries. Additionally, liquor store applications that have a floor space of at least 750 square metres trigger a community impact assessment, the spokesperson said. The assessment measures the application against the area's social harms, such as the family violence rate, or the proximity to schools. At 628sqm, the proposed Swan Hill bottle shop does not need a formal harm assessment to be done. The harm assessment process was tested last year when the Victorian Liquor Commission backed Hepburn Shire Council's decision to deny an application by Endeavour Group to place a Dan Murphy's bottle shop near a school. Endeavour Group is contesting the decision at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Swan Hill independent bottle shop owner John Charleson said the assessment criteria did not work if a town comprises one main street because a 500-metre radius was applied. "So, the square metreage of a circle basically, a 500-metre radius in our town, really should be put into context and be taken in a long rectangular view."
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Former Carrick manager King appointed Newry City boss
Former Carrick Rangers boss Stuart King has been appointed as the new manager of Premier Intermediate side Newry has been out of management since leaving Irish Premiership Carrick in October last year, where he was replaced by Stephen former Linfield, Ballymena United and Glenavon winger King was appointed Carrick manager in June 43-year-old had previously spent five seasons with Banbridge finishing in 10th position in his first campaign, Carrick finished eighth the following year and qualified for a first-ever European play-off last struggled in his third and final season in charge, losing nine of their 10 games before King stepped will play in the third-tier next season after suffering back-to-back succeeds Darren Mullen as Newry boss, who announced he would be stepping down from his second spell in charge of the club at the end of the to the club's website, King said he was "very pleased it's over the line"."It's been going on in the background for a while now and I have had plenty of discussions with the club and had things that I wanted to think through before I accepted," he added."I believe this is a brilliant project for me, it's close to home and I have family from Newry, I think I can really make a difference here and help put smiles back on people's faces. "I am really looking forward to talking to the players and staff and start getting new players in."
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Babel Cover unveils BMIC and landmark collaboration with Warranty Solutions Group
LONDON, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Babel Cover, a British financial engineering and insurance technology company, proudly unveils the British Motorcycle Insurance Community (BMIC), an exciting and fast-growing brand dedicated to supplying UK bikers with innovative technologies to manage financial risk. In a strategic move to enhance its offerings, BMIC has forged a powerful collaboration with Warranty Solutions Group (WSG), bringing a custom-built motorcycle warranty solution to the UK riding community. Though a relatively young initiative, BMIC is rapidly carving a niche in the motorcycle insurance sector. With a strong commitment to offering tailored risk management solutions for bikers, BMIC is on a mission to empower riders with financial security and peace of mind. Learn more: "We are excited to establish the BMIC as a go-to brand for UK motorcyclists looking for smart, effective, and biker-centric financial products," said Stuart King, Founder & CEO of Babel Cover. "By joining forces with Warranty Solutions Group, we're taking another major step in transforming the way bikers manage financial risk." A Powerful Partnership: BMIC & Warranty Solutions Group Warranty Solutions Group, a dynamic and fast-growing provider of motor warranties, shares BMIC's vision of redefining financial protection for bikers. Having won multiple industry accolades, including "Warranty Provider of the Year" for three consecutive years, WSG has built a reputation for disrupting the warranty industry with its customer-centric, digital-first approach. Simon Drown, Head of Special Products & Motorcycles at WSG, said: "We are thrilled to partner with BMIC to provide a best-in-class warranty solution for UK motorcyclists. WSG is focused on delivering value-driven products, and through this partnership, we aim to bring unparalleled peace of mind to riders." The BMIC Warranty, available exclusively through the BMIC, offers comprehensive protection, including coverage for bikes up to 12 years old and 50,000 miles, over 3,000 parts and labour up to £5,000 with no excess, premium breakdown coverage in the UK, and 60 days of European protection. Learn more: Babel Cover's Evolution: From Cold Start to a Transformational Force Babel Cover has grown strategically since securing angel funding in 2018, launching a pilot with a European insurer in 2020, and attracting pre-seed investment from Söderberg & Partners to develop digital-first insurance for motorcyclists. In 2024, it secured multi-million-dollar seed financing from Markd, reinforcing its position as an insurtech disruptor. That same year, it expanded internationally by deploying digital motorcycle insurance in French Polynesia with Poe-ma Insurances. Babel Cover Investors: A Solid Foundation for Future Growth Babel Cover's financial backing reflects its strong potential and credibility in the insurtech industry. With key investors such as Söderberg & Partners, a major Nordic financial services provider, and Markd, a US-based insurtech venture capital firm, the company has secured the financial strength and strategic support to drive long-term success. These investors bring not only capital but also invaluable industry expertise and a shared vision for transforming insurance through technology. As Babel Cover continues to expand, it offers a compelling opportunity for bold investors eager to be part of the future of insurance innovation. What's Next for Babel Cover? As Babel Cover continues to innovate, its most ambitious venture yet is on the horizon, the launch of a radically transformative insurance-linked trading venue. By leveraging cutting-edge shared ledger technology, this platform will connect buyers, sellers, and algo-traders of insurance in a way never seen before, unlocking greater transparency, efficiency, and rewards for participants. "The next phase of Babel Cover's journey is all about breaking down barriers in insurance distribution and creating a hyper-connected financial ecosystem and how insurance is bought, sold and traded," added King. About Babel Cover Babel Cover is a British financial engineering and insurance technology start-up that connects buyers, sellers, and algo-traders over the internet. It is the operator of an insurance-linked trading venue that enables buyers to obtain digital rewards for lower claims, fostering loyalty and efficiency in policy distribution. Learn more: About Warranty Solutions Group Since forming in March 2021, WSG has continued to grow at a phenomenal pace and today is a leading provider of extended vehicle warranties, working with over 2,500 motor dealers across the UK. Fuelled by quality, passion and experience, the company is on a mission to continue driving up standards for vehicle buyers and setting the benchmark for other warranty providers. WSG offers superior warranty products to vehicle buyers through its network of approved dealerships. WSG products are backed up with brilliant customer care and a range of benefits, many of which dealers and motorists won't find anywhere else. Learn more: Logo - View original content: Sign in to access your portfolio
