May 1 - 31, 2026: Issue 654

 

491 square Metre Liquor shop at Careel Bay Shops Approved: NCAT Review Request May be lodged by Community

Notice of approval received May 20 2026
Trading Hours: 9am to 9pm Monday to Saturday, from 10am on Sundays.

The applicant's  Statement of Risks and Potential Effects (SoRPE) states:
'This proposal involves an application for the grant of a Dan Murphy’s branded bottleshop (the DM Store) at 1-3 Careel Head Road (cnr Barrenjoey Road) Avalon Beach (the Site). The existing shopping centre at the Site is to be demolished and a purpose-built mixed use shopping centre is to replace it (the Centre). The Centre will include the DM store at ground level, a childcare centre at Level 1, and a handful of specialty shops together with off-street parking and landscaping'.

The Applicant acknowledges 'the potential for some incremental negative impacts due to adding another licence in the community but argues that in this case the foreseeable cumulative impacts would be minimal'.

The local character of the area is low density residential, with significant sporting facilities for the local community that front Careel Bay to the west.

The Licence will permit the sale and supply of liquor by retail in sealed containers for consumption away from the licensed premises (except when tastings occur on the licensed premises). It will occupy a licensed area of about 491 sqm. 

'Due to the comparative size of the DM Store, it will be considered a boutique operation

It will carry approximately 2,800 items of liquor stock (well short of the usual 4,000 ranged at a typical Dan Murphy’s store). It will include a smaller trading area and it will target wine enthusiasts to discover and experience premium wines.'

'The DM Store will not compete with the Dan Murphy’s Mona Vale store on price or range. The point is that the LC and BC already have access to large Dan Murphy’s stores as part of their shopping experience. ' the SoRPE states

'However, the Centre will replace a tired but existing (successful) neighbourhood shopping centre. ' the SoRPE continues

'The new Centre will be popular to the public who live in this location (now and in the future) and to members of the public who pass by as they travel on their way home or to work or when attending sporting and other recreational facilities accessed along this route. There is a clear benefit in providing all these people with convenient shopping in this location in the future'. 

The Statement of Risks and Potential Effects( SoRPE) acknowledges there are 5 other liquor stores in the suburb of Avalon Beach:
Winona Wine Avalon (date of grant 10.10.2024); Clareville Cellars Fine Wine & Beer (date of grant 30.4.2008); Chambers Cellars (date of grant 31.3.2004); Mr Liquor North Avalon (date of grant 30.4.1979) and Liquorland Cellars (date of grant 1.5.1950).

All these are already 'boutique' liquor stores.

The existence of Palm Beach Cellars, another store with a 'boutique' wine section, does not figure in the SoRPE either. However:
'With respect to the two clubs in the LC we confirm that the Avalon Beach RSL Club does not have a separate bottle shop, but provides a limited over the counter packaged liquor offering as a matter of convenience for attendees.'

'The BOCSAR data for the 12-month period ending June in each year confirms that in June 2007 related assaults occurred in the Local Centre (Avalon Beach) and in June 2025 there were 6 incidents.' the SoRPE states

NCAT Reviews
While some members of the community have welcomed the announcement, until they realised the price point will be delivering what is already available through other smaller local businesses, others have expressed alarm that a liquor store will be allowed under what is slated to be a childcare centre on the second floor of the new build. 

The SoRPE states:

'It is acknowledged that a childcare centre is proposed at the Site (at Level 1 of the Centre). The “Addendum Statement of Environmental Effects” prepared by “think planners” dated 16 June 2024 that was submitted to the Council in respect of the development application acknowledged the co-location of the childcare centre and DM Store and said:-  

▪ the “child care centre has a dedicated lift from the basement”,  
▪ the “child care centre has a dedicated and separate entry and associated lobby at the ground floor that connects separately to Careel Head Road and does not share any element of the lobby with the Dan Murphys component”, and  
▪ the “Dan Murphys entrance near the lift is a discreet entry where alcoholic products and the like are not highly visible relative to child care attendees”. 

It is noteworthy that Council has issued the Development Consent cognisant of the approval of co-location of the childcare centre with the DM Store'. 

Development Application DA2024/1091, as amended, for the demolition works and construction of a mixed use development with basement parking comprising retail uses and a childcare centre at 1-3 Careel Head Road, Avalon Beach, was determined by the grant of consent and through a Land and Environment court action with the judgement handed down on September 4 2025.

The council requested the developers include a separate entry to the childcare centre. 

The developers are proposing a child care centre and 3 retail premises (one being a liquor store). An entry, separate from the liquor store, for the childcare centre now forms part of the proposal.

The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) conducts de novo merits reviews of licensing decisions made by the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) or Liquor & Gaming NSW. These reviews allow stakeholders to have complex liquor applications and appeals heard afresh by the tribunal.

The applicant can be the original business owner (who was refused a license) or any third party (such as local councils, police, or community groups) who previously lodged a submission and are unhappy with ILGA's approval.

NCAT review request end date: 16 Jun 2026
Details available at HERE


Front part of site as is at present. Photo: AJG/PON

Not done yet
The news service understands the remaining tenant has a current lease with option to continue which has not yet been resolved. That tenant, when last spoken with, had not heard back from the new owners.


A little on the History of the Site may be read of in:  Careel Head Road Shops and the Bangalley- Burrowong Creeks: Some History 

Application for Dan Murphy's at Careel Head Road

Application Details: Dan Murphy's at 1-3 Careel Head Road,, AVALON BEACH NSW 2107
Application number: APP-0015360276

Date posted: 16 Dec 2025
Submission period end date: 15 Jan 2026
Application type: New licence - packaged liquor - bottle shop
Status: Under assessment