APPROVED plans for a bottle shop near Young Street is drawing the ire of nearby residents.
The bottle shop has been approved for 14 Balmoral Street. Frankston Council initially denied the permit, but its decision has been overturned by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Frankston councillor Brad Hill has slammed the bottle shop plans. He said “of all the crazy ideas, this has to be a candidate for worst one ever. The last thing we need down there is easier access to alcohol.”
“Someone applied for a planning permit to sell packaged liquor. The police opposed the permit – rare for them to get involved, but they did to their credit. The council refused the permit. All for nought – on appeal, VCAT then approved the permit on appeal,” he said. “The bottle shop has not yet appeared. Maybe it won’t. Yes, you can buy booze nearby at Coles, Woolies and Dan’s, but a stones throw from Young Street? No thank you.”
The Balmoral Street address was previously tenanted by Dimmeys.
VCAT’s final decision read that “the planning scheme does not provide any guidance to assist decision-makers in the assessment of the acceptability or otherwise of the proposed bottle shop use.”
“There are no specific objectives or decision guidelines relating to this land use, other than guidelines that speak to encouraging a broad range of land uses and to maintain the Frankston MAC as the focus for retailing, dining and entertainment uses,” VCAT wrote. “In the absence of any related policy or further guidance within the planning scheme, we find the use of the land as a bottle shop is consistent with strategies in the planning scheme which seek to support the city centre as a focus for retail use.
“We are unable to conclude that an unacceptable land use conflict would arise between the proposed retail use as a bottle shop and the surrounding land uses. We are also not persuaded that the proposed use would detract from any proposed improvements to Balmoral Street.
“We acknowledge and understand the concerns regarding potential amenity impacts which may arise from the consumption of alcohol purchased from the premises. However, this is not a relevant planning consideration.”
Council’s submission to VCAT objected to the permit on the basis that “the proposed ‘Bottle Shop’ use does not appropriately address or achieve the objectives of the Municipal Planning Strategy and Planning Policies in that it will not positively contribute to the creation of a vibrant metropolitan activity centre, and a healthy and safe environment for residents, workers and visitors.
“The proposed bottle shop use is not appropriate in this location due to its proximity to persons vulnerable to alcohol-related harm and social disadvantage. The Frankston Station precinct is a key public transport hub frequently used by children, families, and other vulnerable groups. The proposed use increases the potential exposure to antisocial behaviour and public safety impacts to these groups and patrons of the area.”
First published in the Frankston Times – 10 February 2026