A DAVID and Goliath-style battle continues for Maylands residents fighting to stop Dan Murphy’s replacing the run-down Peninsular Tavern.

Now in its fifth year, the fight was back in court before the Liquor Commission today.

The Commission rejected Dan Murphy’s proposal two years ago but was ordered by the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision.

Supermarket giant Woolworths plans to turn the tavern into a small bar with a bigger bottle shop attached.

Camera Icon Maylands MLA Lisa Baker Credit: Today Tonight

However, Member for Maylands Lisa Barker said the community had enough problems with anti-social behaviour, and a warehouse-style liquor store offering cheap alcohol would not help.

“We represent just one community out of the many around Australia who are fed up with seeing alcohol, which let’s face it is a legal drug, retailed as if it’s fruit and veg,” she said.

“Homelessness and street drinking is a problem that we’re trying to address in this precinct, this (Dan Murphy’s) will not help.”

Camera Icon The Peninsula Tavern site on Railway Parade in Maylands Credit: Lincoln Baker

The protesting residents are opposed to the huge shop and the cheap grog, not small bottle shops selling responsibly.

In a bid to stop the plans, the local council has amended its planing scheme to stop bottle shops bigger than 300sqm from opening in the City of Bayswater. The WA Government signed off on the change just last month.

The State is also trying to change the law, so that big liquor barns are not allowed within 5km of each other.