Barking Mad

[GVGjr]

Barking mad over plan

By Kerri-Anne Mesner

19th February 2008 11:14:36 AM

A RESIDENTS’ group is already taking steps to stop a proposed $25 million club – described as a ‘mini casino’ – in Maribyrnong’s Edgewater Estate.

The Edgewater Community Association has already formed a subcommittee to specifically deal with the proposed Edgewater Club, which would be the Western Bulldogs new entertainment facility.

Association president Ian Tippett said the newly formed subcommittee would meet tonight (Tuesday) for the first time to discuss the proposed development and possible meetings with the Western Bulldogs and Tattersall’s officials.

An application has been submitted to Maribyrnong City Council for the development, which includes 65 gaming machines, 59 hotel rooms, a function and meeting centre for 300 people, a restaurant, merchandising section, members bar, cafe, alfresco dining and children’s activity areas.

Mr Tippett said members of the association met with council officers last Tuesday night with council officers to discuss the proposed hotel.

He said prior to that meeting, which was attended by 78 people, most residents were only against gaming machines at the hotel, but the association was now against the whole development.

[Go_Dogs]

Not good news.

I honestly don't see how the proposal will affect that many people with that much detriment. It won't be a casino, there is no new pokies...

[Mofra]

Dollars rules. The council will look at their allocation of the state government land tax & rubber stamp it. Rose & Co wouldn't have excluded this from their due diligence.

[westdog54]

I wonder if this 'residents group' realises that the pokies will not be new to the area, and that they will simply be moving a kilometre or two down the road? Hopefully meetings with the club will clear this issue up.

[BulldogBelle]

I wonder if this 'residents group' realises that the pokies will not be new to the area, and that they will simply be moving a kilometre or two down the road? Hopefully meetings with the club will clear this issue up.

l highly doubt that it will clear it up.
You always have some lunatic with an axe to grind who will not see reason stirring up trouble.

Probably a Richmond supporter trying to get back at us for Wallace.

[BulldogBelle]

He said prior to that meeting, which was attended by 78 people, most residents were only against gaming machines at the hotel, but the association was now against the whole development.

There was always going to be some backlash over it - doesn't surprise me. Interesting times ahead.

[LostDoggy]

Without saying too much, I'm involved in the industry, and believe me, it may cause some angst, but if there are no logical barriers other than some residents kicking up a fuss (as we are saying in this case -- no extra pokies, just moving to a consolidated venue), it will go to VCAT and the judge will throw it out. The project will get through as long as there are no other design/size issues, so the only real effect is a slight delay.

[BulldogBelle]

Without saying too much, I'm involved in the industry, and believe me, it may cause some angst, but if there are no logical barriers other than some residents kicking up a fuss (as we are saying in this case -- no extra pokies, just moving to a consolidated venue), it will go to VCAT and the judge will throw it out. The project will get through as long as there are no other design/size issues, so the only real effect is a slight delay.

Thanks for that Lantern, hopefully all will pass through smoothly but to be expected there is always some resident backlash when these sorts of projects are undertaken.

[LostDoggy]

Good luck to the residents. Gambling/pokies are a huge problem in society. Its a shame that our club is involved.

[LostDoggy]

Thanks for that Lantern, hopefully all will pass through smoothly but to be expected there is always some resident backlash when these sorts of projects are undertaken.

Hey there BB.

Like you said, there will always be resident backlash, and in many cases it's justified. Yet, there are many, many projects that go right ahead (and many that don't, for various reasons). All objections have to be based on fact and law, and residents (and judges and councils, for that matter) can't just stop development because of personal taste. If the Dogs are smart though (and Rose has shown that he's a shrewd cookie) they'll get the residents onside by talking to and listening to them, and then offering them some stake in it (or -- to be cynical -- showing projections on how their property prices will rise, it's sad how far pandering to people's self-interest will get you these days). At the end of the day, though, the only real solution is designing a heck of a place that will actually enhance the community and really add value culturally, socially and aesthetically; this will do no end of good in terms of creating long-term goodwill (which is what you really want anyway) amongst one's neighbours.

[BulldogBelle]

Hey there BB.

Like you said, there will always be resident backlash, and in many cases it's justified. Yet, there are many, many projects that go right ahead (and many that don't, for various reasons). All objections have to be based on fact and law, and residents (and judges and councils, for that matter) can't just stop development because of personal taste. If the Dogs are smart though (and Rose has shown that he's a shrewd cookie) they'll get the residents onside by talking to and listening to them, and then offering them some stake in it (or -- to be cynical -- showing projections on how their property prices will rise, it's sad how far pandering to people's self-interest will get you these days). At the end of the day, though, the only real solution is designing a heck of a place that will actually enhance the community and really add value culturally, socially and aesthetically; this will do no end of good in terms of creating long-term goodwill (which is what you really want) amongst one's neighbours anyway.

Well said - it's a process the Dogs will have to go through, no doubt they would have factored some animosity from residents and supporters on undertaking this project, to not have expected this scenario would have been naive, which I doubt was the case with Rose steering the ship. As you said there might be a delay in getting it up and running but it will go through eventually.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Good luck to the residents. Gambling/pokies are a huge problem in society. Its a shame that our club is involved.

Go tell it to BF you lefty, hippy, tree-huggin', latte drinkin', nancy boy.

[LostDoggy]

Go tell it to BF you lefty, hippy, tree-huggin', latte drinkin', nancy boy.

Flat white for me thanks

[mjp]

Good luck to the residents. Gambling/pokies are a huge problem in society. Its a shame that our club is involved.

I agree.

Best thing about being home in Perth - can go to a pub without having pokies ringing in the background...I hope they never change the law allowing them outside of the casino. (Mind you, I reckon the casino owners agree with me.)

[bornadog]

Good luck to the residents. Gambling/pokies are a huge problem in society. Its a shame that our club is involved.

got any better ideas to raise a $1 million