A formal response was received on 28 September 2018 from the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB) on the objections lodged in respect of the proposed / planned restaurants on the corner of 1st Avenue and 7th Street.
The GLB decided not to schedule a hearing. It thus did not afford an opportunity to the MRA and the more than 600 residents it represents to state their case regarding the objections stated (possible noise pollution from the open court yard adjacent to residential properties, the traffic congestion, lack of parking, amongst others.)
Both letters of the GLB stated “… the Board declined to conduct a hearing and that in its view the objections are incompetent (sic).”
The specific actions the MRA is considering are: An application in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act to obtain the information requested earlier and the reasons for these decisions as well as a review of the process.
The MRA is very concerned about the precedent this causes and the effect it will have on resident objections to future liquor licenses in the neighbourhood.
If you are a concerned resident, please contact the MRA’s Liquor Portfolio via email mra-liquor@ilovemelville.co.za
