By NICOLE WILLIAMS
CARDINIA Shire councillors believe state government regulations are forcing them to accept unwanted poker machines.
The shire presently has 225 poker machines but that could double under the cap set by the state government, forcing council to approve more machines under threat of wasting ratepayers money on ‘fruitless cases’.
A latest application for an expansion and refurbishment of the Cardinia Park Hotel and the introduction of 40 electronic gaming machines (EGMs) was approved at Monday night’s council meeting despite reservations about the impact of poker machine gambling on the community.
Cr Tania Baxter said she originally had many concerns with the application as a ‘Beaconsfield girl’ but the number of conditions put her at ease.
She put forward a number of amended conditions which were agreed on by other councillors which included limiting the serving of alcohol, no loud music without informing nearby residents and introducing an annual payment of $45,000 per year to local community groups, charities and sporting clubs in Beaconsfield and surrounds.
Cr Baxter was among a number of councillors to question the number of gaming machines allowed in the area.
Cr Moore, who moved the motion to approve the application, said it was a big decision.
“The conditions which have been changed will address most concerns,” he said.
“We are stuck with the ratios of people against machines and we are stuck with the flow of people coming into the Shire so we have to address that as best we can.”
The Minister for Gaming calculates the maximum number of gaming machines allowed in the region as a maximum of 10 machines per 1000 adults – resulting in a cap of 458 EGMs in Cardinia Shire. The shire currently has 225 poker machines, with an additional 76 pending.
However the 40 additional machines at the Cardinia Park Hotel would result in around 100 machines in Beaconsfield, or 25 machines per 1000 adults in Beaconsfield.
“Just because something is legal doesn’t make it right,” Cr Baxter said.
Cr Collin Ross took a swing at the applicant and ratios. Cr Ross said the cap forced council’s hand in approving the application.
“We are handicapped by the ratios because we are well below the 458 machines,” he said.
“We’re put in an awkward position.”
Cr Ross said council could spend ratepayers money arguing a “fruitless case” or approve the application and let the applicant “do anything he wants”.
The application also includes the creation of the gaming room, walk-in bottle shop and internal sports bar with alfresco area as well as an increase in the number of patrons allowed outside the venue.
