COUNCIL administrators hope changes to the Brimbank planning scheme will help address the area’s poker machine issues.
City development director Stuart Menzies said the amendments sought to limit access to electronic gaming machines in Brimbank’s town centres.
“[The plan aims] to ensure that EGMs are situated in appropriate locations and premises, and that future consideration of planning applications for gaming balances the impact of gaming on the health and wellbeing of the community with any recreational and leisure benefits,” he said.
“Under the planning scheme, electronic gaming machines are already prohibited in 53 Brimbank shopping centres.
“This amendment includes an additional 11 shopping centres.”
According to a council report, Brimbank continues to experience the highest level of municipal losses in Victoria, with $145.6 million lost on 953 machines in 2011-12.
