Shire says no to more pokies at Torquay Hotel

THE Surf Coast Shire will not support any more electronic gaming machines (EGMs) being installed at the Torquay Hotel, claiming it will result in a further $1.8 million loss to the community in Torquay alone.

Councillors resolved earlier this year that they would make a submission to the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) about the hotel’s application for another 15 EGMs, and discussed the final submission at their meeting on Tuesday.

According to the officers’ report presented to councillors, the shire has 74 AGMs at three venues, with more than 40 per cent of these located at the Torquay Hotel.

About $2 million was lost on gaming machines in 2016/17 in the shire, equating to $39,522 per machine and a loss of $8,013 per day.

“Based on these figures, $1.2 million was lost in Torquay alone in 2016/17,” the report states.

“Should the application for an additional 15 gaming machines be approved at the Torquay Hotel it will likely result in an increased loss amount of $3.5 million annually – $1.8 million of this will be solely lost in Torquay.”

As part of their application, Torquay Hotel – which changed ownership in November last year – has committed to undertake a $600,000 redevelopment of the hotel within the next two years. These works will focus on updating the amenity of the spaces as well as creating additional bistro and alfresco seating to cater for peak periods.

The hotel will also provide an annual additional $30,000 cash contribution to be donated to a range of community organisations for the life of the entitlements (up to 2022).

However, the report notes officers have identified several issues about how Torquay Hotel is already adhering to the conditions in its licence and how it would adhere to any future conditions.

These include the failure to follow existing conditions outlined in 2013 licence approvals, in-kind and sponsorship contributions being reported against required cash contributions (only $3,500 of the $25,000 figure is actually given as cash), and that the new community contribution of $55,000 is only 3 per cent of the extra $1.8 million that would be spent at the venue.