Other elections and polls
The VEC conducts liquor licensing polls for on-premises and club liquor licence applications, and independent election services for community and commercial elections.
Liquor licensing polls
Part of the City of Boroondara requires the approval of residents before a liquor licence application can be granted by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) (external link). Residents are asked to vote to decide if a liquor licence should be approved.
As directed by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR), dry area polls are no longer required for restaurant and cafe liquor licence applications. The VEC will continue to poll affected dry areas for general (hotel and bar), on-premises and club liquor licence applications as instructed by the VCGLR.
How are liquor licensing polls conducted?
Liquor licensing polls are conducted in accordance with the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998.
Enrolled residents in the neighbourhood of the premises applying for a liquor licence are required to vote. Liquor licencing polls are compulsory and anyone who fails to vote without a valid excuse may be fined. The VCGLR determines the neighbourhood boundaries for each poll in consultation with the VEC.
In most cases, liquor licensing polls are run by postal voting. Notices of the poll are placed in local newspapers and ballot packs are automatically sent to enrolled voters within the neighbourhood boundary. The ballot paper must be returned by polling day, which is clearly identified on each ballot pack.
If the majority of voters (half of the number of formal votes plus one) vote 'yes', a liquor licence application can be approved.
Community and commercial elections
The VEC also provides expert, independent election services to commercial and community organisations.
The VEC's ability to provide these election services is determined by:
- the size of the election
- the documented process for administering the election
- the timing of the election in relation to the VEC's existing electoral commitments
Commercial and community elections are run on a fee-for-service basis. For information about the services we offer, please contact the VEC.