In a first for the south-west, Bojangles of Liebig Street has been granted a renewable limited liquor licence to supply a bottle of wine or up to six 375-milliltre containers of beer with menu order deliveries.

The Director of Liquor Licensing approval follows an official objection from Warrnambool City Council earlier this year.

Councillors were worried the deliveries could add to community alcohol abuse problems linked to street crimes and assaults.

Some had predicted the application would "open the floodgates" while others urged the council to "draw a line in the sand" on liquor licensing.

The new service is expected to start in September.

Licence conditions stipulate drivers have to have a Responsible Service of Alcohol qualification and recipients must be aged at least 18.

Pre-mixed drinks are banned and food must accompany the alcohol delivery.

Yesterday Warrnambool's mayor Cr Michael Neoh said he was satisfied with conditions of the licence.

"I hope that will ease some of the council's concerns," he said.

“It sets a precedent for any similar applications that may follow,” Cr Neoh said.

“The onus is back on the business operator to monitor and enforce the conditions. We wanted enforcement conditions put on the applicant.”

Bojangles co-owner Greg Kelly yesterday described the decision as “a vote for sensibility”.

“The conditions imposed on the licence are what we had put forward to the commissioner, so nothing came as a surprise.

“New menus will be made to include type and prices of alcohol available.

‘‘We are hopeful to be able to start from September.

“We felt there was a need because of requests from visitors to the city for alcohol to be delivered with their meals to motels and apartments. Similar services operate

in other parts of the state.”

Earlier this year the licensing director told The Standard there were 178 businesses in the state which delivered alcohol with home-order food.

“Fines of up to $7000 can be applied to licensees for supplying to an under-age person,” he said.