By Alesha Capone
RESIDENTS of Tarneit said they hoped a proposed hotel with 65 poker machines would not be approved, after the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation held a hearing into the matter last week.
Wyndham City Council refused to endorse the Tarneit Tavern (Hotel) plans a few months ago and 21 objections were submitted against the proposed pokies venue, which would be located on the corner of Sayers and Derrimut roads.
The state’s gambling regulator held two public hearings on the application last week, but are yet to announce a decision.
Tarneit Residents Association president Shawn Lynch said gambling was a large problem within Wyndham, with electronic gaming machines reaping more than $81 million over the past year.
Mr Lynch said he had heard some residents, concerned about the Tarneit pokies proposal, have already put their houses up for sale.
“We just don’t think it’s a good thing, so close to schools, daycare, a retirement village next door and houses which will be sharing a fence with it,” he said.
“We’re also worried about the noise, because of it being a hotel as well, with people leaving in the early hours of the morning and also concerns about alcohol and anti-social behaviour.”
Mr Lynch said residents would like the Tarneit Tavern to be located in another spot, further away from schools and child-care centres.
