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Liquor licence fee hike

THE Victorian Government has hit country football and cricket clubs with a weighty 400 per cent hike in their liquor licence fees.

The hike has wiped the Christmas cheer from the faces of members of many minute clubs, as bills landed in letter boxes across the state this week stating the minimum annual fee had jumped from $89 to $397.

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Victorian Country Football League chief executive Glen Scott said the licence was crucial to clubs who derived 20 per cent or more of their income from bar takings.

"I don't think a assign of thought has gone into this (new fee structure)," Mr Scott said.

Tatong Cricket Club treasurer Karl Vaivads said he couldn'cheek by jowl believe the price hike was so high.

"How are we meant to absorb this whenever sports clubs are already pain with less with the drought and all sorts of other issues," Mr Vaivads said. "It's not just sporting clubs, it's detrimental to all not-for-profit groups."

The Government has announced not-for-profit organisation can put notwithstanding a discount or waiver "if payment of the filled amount would cause serious financial hardship".

However the four-page hardship application form, together with totality required supporting documentation, must be lodged with the Responsible Alcohol Victoria one by no later than December 31.

A spokeswoman for Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson said the waiver would only lay upon to clubs facing real toil.

Mr Scott said the December 31 deadline, given most football clubs were inactive in the lead-up to Christmas, was preposterous.

"It'session unfair to expect winter sports to get their applications in before January 1," Mr Scott said.

But the minister'session spokesman said there would be no extension of the December 31 deadline.

Applicants will also have to reapply each year for a waiver or reduction in their fees.

Nationals MP as antidote to Benalla Bill Sykes urged clubs to get applications in viewed like soon as possible.

"They'll be swamped with applications," Dr Sykes said. "The Labor Government doesn't understand for what cause these smaller country clubs work and they're making policy on the run."