By Casey Neill
Knocking back its bid for more pokies denies the people of Greater Dandenong “some much-needed support”, says Club Noble.
The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) rejected the application for 20 new electronic gaming machines (EGMs) last month because it was not satisfied they would not be detrimental to community wellbeing.
Latest figures show Greater Dandenong pokies players lost more than $118 million on EGMs in the past financial year, $9.8 million in June alone.
Noble Park Football Social Club president Barry Bradshaw told the Journal that Club Noble had decided against challenging the decision at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
He said the board was “extremely disappointed” with the ruling after investing “many resources and hours into identifying some key community assets that could be enhanced and improved”.
“But, unfortunately, this short-term decision will deny the people of Greater Dandenong some much-needed support,” he said.
Mr Bradshaw said one aspect of the application was funding a drug, alcohol and gambling addiction counsellor at the Cyrene Centre at $75,000 a year for five years.
“For many years, Club Noble has proudly encouraged excellence in many individuals and associations in the area, funding aspirations, providing services and backing dreams,” he said.
“We had forecast that, if successful with the application, we would have been able to provide an additional $1.6 million cash contribution to the community over the next 10 years.
“This contribution would have been in addition to the club’s current annual cash contributions of over $520,000 annually.”
Mr Bradshaw said a $4.75 million redevelopment proposed in the application would have created more than five jobs and increased amenity for members and guests.
“The board was proud that the proposed redevelopment would have offered many increased opportunities for our local community,” he said.
The VCGLR found that the new machines would increase gaming expenditure in an area where residents “have little to no ability to incur gambling losses without harm”.
The VCGLR also said there was a correlation “between EGM density and incidents of police-recorded domestic violence”.
“If the application is granted, there may be a more acute risk of an increase in gambling-related crime and social disturbance (including family violence),” the report said.
It also said: “The commission considers there is already an ease of access and high levels of consumer choice for anyone choosing to play EGMs.”
In May the Journal reported that Greater Dandenong councillors unanimously knocked back the bid, despite a report from Ratio Consultants finding that the project would “have a slightly positive net social and economic impact on the local community”.
During the council debate on the decision, councillor Matthew Kirwan said Greater Dandenong lost more money to EGMs per adult than any other Victorian municipality.
