By Alana Mitchelson
A VCAT finding that has overruled Cardinia Shire Council’s decision to retain the shire’s current number of poker machines may “open the floodgates” to applications for more machines, according to councillors.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) found that Pakenham Racing Club’s proposal for additional poker machines was a “low risk” to an increase in problem gambling.
This means there will soon be up to 165 electronic gaming machines (EGMs) – more commonly known as poker machines – at Pakenham Racing Club venues across the shire.
The VCAT appeal came five months after the council rejected the club’s application to introduce 22 additional poker machines to the shire.
Pakenham Racing Club had asked for a permit of 60 poker machines in 2013 for its new Club Officer venue, which meant moving 38 machines from the Pakenham Sports Club and 22 machines from the Cardinia Club.
The council granted the permit on the condition that no new poker machines would be entering the shire.
But the club’s subsequent application in July 2016 sought another 22 machines for the Cardinia Club to replace those that had been moved.
Former councillor Tania Baxter said she believed additional machines would “expose a vulnerable community to risk associated with problem gambling”.
“I’m glad the council stood up for the rights of community and didn’t roll over in the face of big money,” she told the Gazette.
“It will go down in history, this decision. You watch.”
Cr Collin Ross said he was “extremely disappointed” to hear of the VCAT ruling.
“These machines primarily take more money from the community and give more profit to clubs. What’s in it for the community? It’s really sad that people paying off their first mortgage will have those things staring in their face,” he said.
“I think we have enough of these machines and anyone who wants to access them can do so quite easily.
“We do our best to protect the community. Unfortunately privately owned organisations have got legal avenues to appeal council decisions and once passed, council can only oppose planning or community wellbeing issues.”
Cr Ross said he expected the council to receive more applications for poker machines, especially as more people move to the region.
“In my 10 years as a councillor, I’ve only ever had one person – after talking to tens of thousands of people – who didn’t like our position on gaming machines, other than the venues,” Cr Ross said.
“Council might have to look at other ways to approach it in the future.”
Mayor Brett Owen said the council would continue to explore ways to mitigate the negative social and economic impacts gaming instils on residents.
Pakenham Racing Club chief executive Michael Hodge declined to provide comment.
For more information, visit www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VCAT/2017/72.html
