HOBSONS Bay City Council has deferred an application to the Victoria Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) to increase the number of electronic gaming machines (EGM) at the Seagulls Nest Hotel in Newport.
A motion was passed that council make a submission to the VCGLR expressing concern about any increase to the number of EGM at the hotel and in the wider municipality given the council’s policy.
The application by the operators of the hotel, the Williamstown Football Club, applied to increase the number of EGMs on the premises from the current 61 gaming machines to 66 – an increase of five machines. The council’s motion stated that if the application is successful that council officers negotiate with the Williamstown Football Club to contribute funding to projects in Hobsons Bay.
The report, developed by Cr Colleen Gates said the council’s EGM policy statement states that council want to see a reduction of EGM’s and opposes additional EGM’s within the municipality and the broader catchment area.
Cr Gate’s report stated the extent of the impact of EGMs is evidence in the statistics.
“In 2011-12, adults in Hobsons Bay lost $52.6 million and this equated to $763 per person,” Cr Gates said.
The State Government has capped the number of machines in Hobsons Bay to 579.
Cr Peter Hemphill, who was the only councillor to vote against the motion, asked Cr Gates if the Williamstown Football Club was unsuccessful in its application, if any club could apply for the seven or less EGMs that currently do not have permits.
Cr Gates said that other clubs or licensed venues would be able to apply for EGM if the Williamstown Football Club was unsuccessful in its application.
“I will point out that council policy in that respect is to not only to keep that at the same level but seek a reduction,” Cr Gates said.
Cr Hemphill also noted that the Williamtown Football Club made a submission in its letter about partnership talks with the Williamstown High School to help the school fit out and develop its gym.
