Curtin Uni student union objects to proposal to sell alcohol on campus despite running tavern

The student union at Curtin University is objecting to a proposal to sell takeaway booze on campus because of the “huge risk” it poses to students’ health and safety — despite running its own pub. An IGA store based near student housing in the university’s Exchange precinct has applied for a liquor licence to open a bottle shop — with Curtin’s backing — prompting the Student Guild to lodge a formal objection. Guild president Dylan Botica said students had questioned why a university would want a commercial liquor store to open on campus. “Curtin University would have to be one of the only campuses that is interested in selling large quantity takeaway alcohol to students, especially when it’s located directly adjoining student residences,” he said. “This obviously is a huge risk to the safety of students and alcohol abuse or misuse is a key problem in the student cohort.” Even though the Guild runs a tavern on campus, Mr Botica argued it was lower risk because the tavern’s opening hours were restricted and service of alcohol was controlled. He denied there were any concerns about competition as the tavern was not a “for-profit venture”. Mr Botica said the bottle shop would be at the base of high-rise student apartments. “It would be no walk, you’d just go down the lift and you’d be in a liquor store,” he said. “When we went out and spoke to the students that live in student housing, they absolutely didn’t want a liquor store on campus, especially because where it’s proposed to be built is actually in the same building as most student housing rooms.” Mr Botica said many residents — particularly women — were concerned the easy access to alcohol could fuel an increase in sexual harassment and assaults. International students who came from non-drinking cultures were also worried about the impact it would have. A Curtin spokesperson said the university supported the application by Tucker Fresh IGA to provide a small, customised liquor store without street frontage at Curtin’s Exchange precinct. “The university’s Bentley campus already has venues which sell liquor, including the Guild-run tavern,” the spokesperson said. “The inclusion of a responsibly-managed, modest liquor outlet would complement our varied restaurants and cafes at Exchange and enhance our vision to create a new and vibrant destination for Curtin University and the broader community.” Cancer Council WA Alcohol Program Manager Julia Stafford said allowing a bottle shop on campus appeared to contradict Curtin’s important roles in training health professionals and producing research on reducing alcohol-related harm. Cancer Council, along with two other public health associations, has also lodged a formal objection to the liquor outlet. They argued the increase in availability of cheap, packaged alcohol would put young university students — already exposed to hazardous drinking — at increased risk of harm. “Research shows that students 18 to 24 years of age are more likely than the general population to experience a range of alcohol related harms ... like aggressive behaviour, health and emotional impacts and even sexual harm,” Ms Stafford said.