THREE gaming venues with strong community ties would not be impacted by Brimbank Council’s proposed introduction of a differential rate for clubs with pokies.
As reported by the Weekly, the council’s draft 2012-13 budget includes plans to charge higher rates for gaming venues.
The move is aimed at funding programs to help problem gamblers.
Under the plan, the rate would be twice that for commercial and industrial properties.
But the council last week confirmed the differential will not apply to Sunshine RSL, Green Gully Soccer Club and StAlbans Sports Club.
The latter two operate under a lease agreement and the RSL is non-rateable under the Local Government Act.
Twelve other local clubs and hotels will be affected by the change.
They include Keilor Hotel, Deer Park Hotel, Glengala Hotel and Club Italia.
Australian Hotels Association’s state deputy chief executive, Paddy O’Sullivan, said the association would make strong representations to the state government to oppose the penalising of gaming venues by local councils.
“The hotel industry is totally opposed to Brimbank Council’s proposal,” he said.
“The state government has responsibility for taxing gaming venues, not local government.”
The council’s general manager of corporate services, Doris Cunningham, said the move was designed to equitably impose a differential rate and raise revenue to improve residents’ quality of life, “having regard to the social and economic impacts of problem gambling”.
Brimbank gamblers cemented the area as the state’s biggest pokies loser last year, losing almost $400,000 a day.
