Shire set to control pokies

By Tania Martin
THE region’s councils are set to get power over planning decisions regarding poker machines.
But the neighbouring municipalities of Yarra Ranges and Knox are still concerned that the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) will have the power to overturn their decisions.
The State Government last week released a report titled Taking Action on Problem Gambling which outlines its intention to give local government power over planning decisions and to put a cap on the number of machines allowed.
Nineteen regions identified as having gambling problems will be capped at 10 gaming machines for every 1000 adults.
But Yarra Ranges and Knox are not one of those 19 regions because they already have less than 10 machines for every 1000 adults.
Yarra Ranges has one machine per thousand while Knox has 7.5 machines.
Yarra Ranges Chandler Ward councillor Graeme Warren said the government’s promise to give councils power over planning decisions was a huge step forward.
“We (council) have a belief that pokies are a real curse that impact on both families and communities and anything we can do to reduce that is a bonus,” he said.
Gerard Jose, Knox director of community services, said the power over planning decision for poker machines is long overdue.
Mr Jose said it makes sense to give local government, as the level of government closest to the people, the power to represent their views around the impact of gambling on themselves and their loved ones.
But he said the council is still aware that any decision it makes on poker machines can be overridden by VCAT.
Mr Jose said in recent cases where the Victorian Commission for Gambling has refused to grant applications for more machines, venues had appealed to VCAT and had the decision overturned.
“Councils currently face a David and Goliath battle when coming up against poker machine operators,” he said.