Gambling reform, litter management and sports funding will be high on the agenda when Brimbank council presents a number of motions at the upcoming Municipal Association of Victoria state council meeting.
The council recently endorsed seven motions to be tabled at the May 18 meeting of the MAV, the peak body for local government in Victoria.
These include more funding for level crossing removal, women’s sport and youth services and increasing the penalties for dumped rubbish.
Councillor Lucinda Congreve said the issues were all of huge importance to the Brimbank community.
“I think anyone who comes to our council meetings would see at least one, if not all of these issues, being discussed at most of our meetings,” Cr Congreve said.
“We have $700,000 every year coming out of our pockets for illegally dumped rubbish. That is four upgraded facilities for female sport right there.”
The council also endorsed a motion to advocate to reduce the maximum amount of cash that can be withdrawn from an ATM at venues with electronic gambling machines. The change would reduce the maximum in a 24-hour period from $500 to $200.
Councillor John Hedditch stressed the importance of electronic gambling reform for Brimbank – the municipality consistently registering the highest pokies losses in the state.
“We need to keep saying it loud and clear, the more we can work with others to find a long term approach in this space is really important,” Cr Hedditch said.
