Council Orders Removal of Shopfront Shutter Despite Burglary Fears

Oakleigh Cellars, a bottle shop in Melbourne’s east, has lost a tribunal appeal against Monash City Council’s order to remove its external roller shutter. The business installed the black shutter two years ago after suffering a significant burglary shortly after opening. Co-owner Chris Thompson argues the measure is essential for security, citing zero break-ins since installation, and claims internal shutters are structurally impossible without costly renovations. However, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) upheld the council’s decision, ruling that the solid shutter created a harsh, inactive streetscape that undermined pedestrian safety and violated planning policies aimed at preventing dead frontages. VCAT member Jane Tait emphasized that such facades reduce the sense of safety and could have negative long-term economic impacts on the area. The council advocates for internal or transparent grill shutters to maintain passive surveillance, though the business contends these options are unfeasible for their building. This case highlights the ongoing tension between urban aesthetic regulations and the practical security needs of brick-and-mortar businesses facing rising property crime rates.