Pokie fears drive Liberal MP

By Elizabeth Lillis
CARDINIAmay become a target for additional poker machines, according to local Liberal MP Ken Smith..
He fears State Government policy, which requires that machines be shifted out of capped areas, could lead to them being moved to areas such as Cardinia, which does not have a cap.
A total of 543 machines needs to remove from capped areas by December.
“Under Labor any non-capped local government area with fewer than 10 machines per 1000 adults can be targeted to receive an increase up to that amount,” Mr Smith said.
Cardinia mayor Kate Lempriere said the factCardinia Shire did not have a cap was a concern for the council.
Cardinia Shire has 212 machines in operation at four venues in Pakenham, 4.69 machines per 1000 adults.
An additional 48 machines are licensed for operation in the proposed new Castellos Hotel and an application is pending for 10 additional machines at the Pakenham Football Social Club.
Mr Smith said an additional 240 machines could be allowed before the shire level reached the limit.
“My constituents do not want an additional 240 poker machines,” he said.
“They do not need an extra 240 poker machines … but under the Government’s policies, that is what they could get.”
Mr Smith said he felt Cardinia shire should not approve any additional machines but admitted this would be difficult for the shire to do. They could end up fighting the application at VCAT, he said.
Cr Lempriere said each application for machines would be considered in line with the council’s responsible gaming policy at the time of a planning application.
The State Government gave councils planning powers to approve venues as suitable for gaming last year.
A survey of councils by the Community Advocate on Gambling, with the Victorian Local Governance Association and Municipal Association of Victoria, found many councils wanted additional assistance from the State Government to put the changes in place.
Community Advocate on Gambling’s Andrew Manning said $250,000 had been made available to councils through the VLGA Gambling Planning Frameworks to make changes but more was needed.