Council to oppose Valley Inn pokies increase

THE City of Geelong will oppose a bid by owners of the Valley Inn Hotel in South Geelong to increase the venue’s number of pokie machines from 29 to 39, due to concerns about the impact on the community.

Council has informed the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) of its position, which will determine the fate of the application at a yet to be decided date.

In order to bolster its reasons for opposing the increase of Electronic Gaming Machines (EGM) at the venue, council is now preparing a social and economic impact assessment that will outline the levels of disadvantage, education and employment experienced in South Geelong, that will then be presented to the regulator.

Council states that in 2020/21, Geelong residents spent almost $1.3 million at the Valley Inn Hotel and more than $1.5 million in 2019/20, although the total profit from EGMs at the venue is not publicly available.

It’s not the first time council has attempted to block pokies from the site, unsuccessfully opposing the pub’s current owners, APD Group Pty Ltd, from first establishing 29 machines there in 2016.

A $3 million redevelopment of the pub including a new gaming room was approved by council shortly after it was given the green light from the state’s gaming regulator to house pokies.

In supporting documentation for the pub’s latest increase of pokies, company director Tony Eastmure is proposing another multi-million dollar redevelopment, but only if the application is approved.

“Without the income to be generated from the additional gaming machines, the Applicant would not be in a position to complete …”, according to Mr Eastmure’s witness statement lodged with the VGCCC.

“We are in desperate need of a function room and additional dining space during busy times. If this application is approved, we will commit to the construction of a roof top deck at an estimated cost of $2 million.

“Geelong (including South Geelong) is experiencing massive growth with the establishment of new areas including Armstrong Creek. We believe by expanding our offering we will also be catering to demand for additional entertainment facilities in the area.”

Council deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan disagrees, stating that nearly 1,400 pokie machines across Greater Geelong and Queenscliff provide “ample opportunity for the community to take part in gambling if they wish, without the need to increase EGM numbers”.

“Council’s focused on providing a safe and healthy environment for our residents by preventing and reducing harm from gambling,” Cr Sullivan said.

A budget allocation of up to $30,000 for legal counsel to represent the city’s case at the hearing is also being considered by council, dependent on the findings of the impact assessment that are due for submission to the VGCCC by Tuesday, February 22.

Council has objected to the last four pokie machine applications by local businesses and clubs, in keeping with its Electronic Gaming Policy adopted in 2017, a key objective of which is to reduce the negative impacts of problem gambling resulting from Electronic Gaming Machines.

More than $89 million was lost on pokies in the Greater Geelong region in 2019/20, ranking the region as Victoria’s fourth highest regional spend on EGMs, a “staggering” amount said councillor Sarah Mansfield, chair of the Community Health and Aged Care portfolio.

“There are members of our community whose health, relationships and finances are seriously impacted by problem pokies use and the ripple effects are devastating,” Cr Mansfield said.

The city is seeking public feedback on the application via <b>https://yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/valley-inn-EGM-Application</b>.