By Kyra Gillespie
A public meeting and calls for additional funding are the latest moves in the community push to keep poker machines out of Cardinia Shire.
The campaigners against the controversial Station Street pokies development have launched a Go Fund Me page to help raise money, which will be used for signs, posters, stickers and other campaign material.
The call for funds comes amid heightened fears of the development going through due to pressure on the council, despite their unanimous vote against it.
Cardinia Shire councillors voted against the proposed development for 2 Station Street, Officer, in September however protestors fear the applicant could still apply for a review at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Bad Bets Australia spokesperson Rohan Wenn said the local lobby group is “getting ready for the next fight.”
“The funding page will help us pay for more campaign material with any leftover funds going to local churches,” Mr Wenn said.
“We also have an anonymous local donor who has agreed to match the first $1000 worth of donations in order to help get things going.”
The group is bringing a leading gambling expert to town to speak on the dangers of gaming machines.
Dr Charles Livingstone, who lent his voice to the anti-pokies hotel campaign, will headline a community meeting at the Officer Community Hall to discuss the impacts that gambling can have on local communities.
The public meeting will be held at 7.30pm on 21 November at the Officer Community Hall, Tivendale Road, Officer.
To support the cause, head to the Go Fund Me website at Pokies Out Cardinia Shire.
