Pokies approved

THE owner of the Terminus Hotel in Healesville has been given the go-ahead by the Victorian Gaming Regulator to install 30 pokie machines.
The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) approved the licence application by Terminus owner Robin Daley in September, releasing the reasons behind the decision, and conditions of the licence, on 9 October.
The Commission found there would be no detrimental social or economic detriment to the wellbeing of the Healesville Community providing two conditions were met.
They are that the director of the applicant must complete a responsible service of gaming course and that the applicant must provide a management plan for harm minimisation for problem gambling.
Among a number of observations made by the commission were that expenditure on electronic gaming machines (EGMs) across Yarra Ranges had been falling and was likely to continue to fall, and that the risk of problem gambling had the potential to affect the community but was one that could be mitigated by the applicant.
The Commission also noted that the Yarra Ranges area exhibited some signs of vulnerability and any increase in EGMs and EGM expenditure must be treated with caution.
The Commission expressed concern about current gambling practices and procedures of the applicant saying it was not satisfied they addressed the risk of an increase to problem gambling in Yarra Ranges and did not appear to address the specific needs of the Healesville community.
The Commission accepted that the proposed donation by the applicant of $30,000 each year to the Hartwell Foundation “may have a significant flow-on benefit to the local community” but was critical of the validity of other suggested in-kind benefits.
It found there was a likely but modest positive economic impact on the community, including a “modest” increase in staff.
The Commission found that modelling provided by the Applicant in answer to claims by Healesville RSL that it would lose revenue if there were more EGMs in the town were not proven, saying it would have additional funds in any case under the new taxation regime.
The Commission noted that although 14 objections were received from members of the local community, there was no community survey provided either by the applicant or by YRC that showed the attitude of the wider community towards the application.
The decision raises the possibility of a two-way VCAT challenge between the Terminus and Yarra Ranges Council.
YRC has refused a planning permit for the machines with planning services manager Jacqui Hansen stating in September “If the applicant wishes to take it further, they can appeal to VCAT”.
As the major objector to the licence application, along with 14 objections from the community, YRC also has the option of appealing to VCAT to reverse the VCGLR decision.
Mr Daley said he had not seen the VCGLR report on the reasons for its decision and had no comment at this point.