Liquor licence application for super clinic

The owner of a cafe who has applied for a liquor licence at the Broken Hill GP super clinic says it will not be bad for patients and attract drunks.

The Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority is considering an application for a liquor licence for the cafe to serve alcohol from 10am to 12 midnight from Monday to Saturday and 10am to 10pm on Sundays.

Associate Professor Anthony Shakeshaft from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre says selling alcohol within a super clinic is not good for patients.

"The fact that when they walk out the GP's office there's more alcohol available certainly increases the risk of them drinking, which exacerbates their feeling of ill-health," he said.

Broken Hill GP super clinic under construction in Thomas Street.

One neighbour told the ABC she was concerned that doctors might drink at the cafe.

"I can't see the point in having a licence at the super clinic," she said.

"It's a health area; it's for diagnosing health problems."

Applicant Summa Rayner says the cafe will cater more to staff and family members of patients.

"Our intention was never to supply alcohol to people who are drunk or people going to wait for the doctor," she said.

Mrs Rayner says the main aim of the business is to serve sandwiches and coffee, with alcohol on the side.

"Our intention was to have that as an add-on to our business," she said.

"The alcohol would be 5 per cent of our whole business of what we want to do and achieve at the cafe "

Only one submission was received on the liquor licence application.

The clinic is expected to open in November.

Source: ABC News, 23 July 2013