Out of the game

By KATH GANNAWAY
COMMUNITY members opposed to the installation of 30 more electronic gaming machines in Healesville say the community is being left out of the decision-making.
The application by The Pink Hotel to install 30 poker machines in the Terminus Hotel went before the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation on Wednesday 15 August.
The applicant and Yarra Ranges Council, which opposes the application, were represented and the manager of the Healesville RSL which operates 50 pokie machines presented their cases, but community representatives, residents Jeanette McRae and Tim Anderson say they were refused their request to speak.
Ms McRae, a resident and Shire of Yarra Ranges councillor, said she believed it was critical to get the community view on the social and economic impact on its own community.
She said no survey had been done into the community wellbeing and that there was no true indication of what the community perception is.
Community members Steve Curry and Danny Zemp are also calling for more community input.
Mr Curry said as a community member of 26 years and with a family raised in the town, he is astounded at how little awareness there was among residents.
“I was surprised that there are so many in this town who are totally ambivalent over this whole situation, but I know they have no idea of the ramifications that are at issue here,” he said.
Posing rhetorical questions of the community at large, he said “why should we care about the local shops and school children are struggling? It doesn’t affect me!”
“It also doesn’t affect me if five to 10 people are affected by each problem gambler …I don’t know any!”
He said issues people need to think about were those, and the ambience of the railway precinct, the crime rate and the suburbanisation of the town.
“What I do care about is the erosion of our society and local community if we don’t even care enough to stand up against those who prey on our vulnerable individuals.
“I’d like to think Healesville’s community is not a spineless group of individuals who only care about themselves,” he said.
He said people have no right to complain once the town is affected even more by the effect of pokie machines.
“If we sit here and do nothing about the spread of local pokies we will be asleep at the wheel in relation to our responsibilities to our community and to our more vulnerable members.”
Mr Zemp also called on the community, but said there was room also for the owner of the Terminus to play a more community-minded role.
“We have a growing live music and arts scene here in Healesville and this is the perfect location, with few near neighbours, for promoting that to local people, and as a genuine tourist attraction,” he said.
He rejected calls for a community boycott of the Terminus Hotel saying there a more collaborative solution needed to be found which could provide the owner with an income and safeguard the community.
According to the VCGLR website no decision has been made at this stage.
The closing date for submissions to Yarra Ranges Council for a planning permit – a separate process – was 18 August. Submissions can, however, be lodged up until the matter is decided by the council.
The Mail contacted Robin Daley, owner of the Terminus Hotel and director of The Pink Hill Hotel for a comment last week. Mr Daley declined to comment at this stage.
People who need help with gambling problems can phone Gamblers Help on 1800 858 858 or go to gamblinghelponline.org.au.