MELTON Council will fight an application to increase the number of gaming machines at a Hillside hotel.
Councillors last week decided to prepare a submission to the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, opposing a proposal for 20 gaming machines at the Sugar Gum Hotel, owned by Spar Holdings.
The additional machines would bring the hotel’s total number to 70.
Spar Holdings wants the extra machines to help fund a $4 million redevelopment of the hotel, expected to create seven full-time jobs.
Cr Sophie Ramsey said she wanted the council to take a firm stand. “In a growth corridor we’re getting more and more applications [for poker machines],” she said.
“The VCGLR is just another body that takes planning responsibilities away from local council and this needs to stop.”
Spar Holdings said the extra machines would increase its community contributions by $40,000.
VCGLR data shows $56.5 million was poured into Melton’s 487 poker machines last financial year. A total of $8.3 million was spent at Sugar Gum Hotel, one of seven venues across the city.
The council will spend $12,500 for a consultant to undertake a social and economic impact statement to submit to the VCGLR by May 6.
—Stephanie Zevenbergen
