BUSH publicans say they are being made to pay for violence in major regional and city pubs through huge statewide hikes in liquor licensing fees.
Publicans have described the new fees as unfair, saying they punish small operators whose venues are not crime hot spots.
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And they have called on the Victorian Government to reclassify their businesses as community buildings so they can escape the escalating fees.
Merino Hotel and Heritage Cinema publican Ian Whalley, who is leading the push for reclassification, said the idea was gathering support from other publicans.
Mr Whalley said small bush pubs could be reclassified and supported through lower fees that reflected the pivotal role they played in the social fabric of isolated rural communities.
He said he wanted to see hotels in small towns classified as "rural", according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, granted the exemption.
"The ABS defines towns as communities of over 200 people," Mr Whalley said.
"Towns such as Merino, with a population of 187, are defined merely as rural areas.
"Rural people are well aware of rural population decline ... as rural areas confront their futures, the role of the bush pub as community buildings will be of increasing importance.
"Premier Brumby ... is a Coleraine boy who should not need any convincing on the need to embrace the solution before it's too late."
The manager of the Bunyip Hotel in Cavendish, Glenda Lewis, said she supported moves to have small pubs recognised for their community role.
"Hotels are extremely important, they're a place where everyone can meet on neutral ground," Ms Lewis said.
"We're concerned about increasing fees, they're astronomical, and we've applied for hardship (with liquor licensing) and are waiting to hear back."
Australian Hotel Association Victoria general manager Paddy O'Sullivan said his organisation supported calls for concessions that kept bush pubs viable.
A Victorian Government spokeswoman said the government understood how important local pubs were in regional Victoria.
"We already support the development and maintenance of community facilities across Victoria, that are accessible by all, through a wide range of grants and funding," she said.
