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Geelong Council adopts Gaming Policy Framework
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
4:44 PM
Media Releases
The City of Greater Geelong Council has adopted a planning scheme amendment that is aimed at influencing the location of gaming machines in the municipality.
Council’s Planning portfolio holder Cr Andrew Katos said the Council adopted Amendment C168 after submissions to the draft amendment had been reviewed by an independent panel appointed by the Minister for Planning.
The draft amendment was placed on public exhibition for a four week period and 11 submissions received, said Cr Katos.
“The submissions were reviewed by an independent panel which subsequently recommended the amendment be adopted following some redrafting of the policy to improve the intent and clarity,” said Cr Katos.
Council will now request the Minister for Planning approve the amendment for inclusion in the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
Cr Jan Farrell, who chairs the Geelong Gambling Working Group, that includes Councillors from the City of Greater Geelong, Queenscliffe, Golden Plains and Surf Coast , said the aim of Amendment C168 was to influence where gaming machines were located in the municipality.
“Council recognises that gaming machines are a legitimate form of entertainment but is working towards reducing the problems that may be experienced by some gamblers,” said Cr Farrell.
“Whilst the total number of gaming machines in Greater Geelong is capped, the placement of machines can further limit the potential problems,” she said.
“This amendment aims to make gaming accessible but not convenient and to discourage concentrations of machines in disadvantaged areas,” said Cr Farrell.
“We have campaigned strongly for a number of years on the issues related to gaming machines and in 2007 the City of Greater Geelong adopted a Gaming Policy Framework.”
“The policy aims to provide a balanced approach on how best to accommodate gaming machines in the Greater Geelong municipality whilst ensuring the social problems associated with gaming are minimised,” said Cr Farrell.
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