Fight goes on for pokies win

[BulldogBelle]

Another update....

Fight goes on for pokies win
Star News Group
Belinda Nolan
6th January 2009

MARIBYRNONG residents have vowed to fight on after a Victorian Gaming Commission decision to allow 70 pokie machines to be installed in the proposed Edgewater Club development.

The controversial ruling will allow the Western Bulldogs to go ahead with plans for a gaming room as part of the $23 million entertainment complex, which will also include a four-storey hotel, bistro, café and conference facilities.

While revenue from the machines is tipped to end the club’s financial woes, residents have slammed the commission’s decision to allow the machines, which they say would prove disastrous for the city.

“Unfortunately, again the interests of a footy club have been put before the welfare of the Maribyrnong community,” said Enzo De Fazio, president of Residents Against Inappropriate Development in Maribyrnong (RAIDIM).

“These pokie machines are right smack in the middle of a shopping strip where families go to buy their weekly groceries.

“That is just unacceptable for us and we will keep on fighting against it.”

Maribyrnong city council mayor Michael Clarke has also criticised the VCGR’s ruling, labelling it a “terrible decision” for the community.

Cr Clarke said there were already 140 pokie machines within one kilometre of the proposed Edgewater site, which would be located opposite low-income housing and a supermarket and would provide scope for opportunistic gambling.

“It’s a terrible decision and we are extremely disappointed,” Cr Clarke said.

The Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation approved the pokie plans on Christmas Eve after listening to nine days of evidence from both sides of the debate.

“We considered that the advantages outweigh the negatives,” the VCGR report said.

“Apart from the physical facilities – likely to be well used – and the fact that the club will have a social facility in an area which the Maribyrnong council recognised as the spiritual home of the Western Bulldogs, the venue will produce a relatively modest profit, badly needed by the Western Bulldogs, whose financial situation is among the worst in the AFL,” the report said.

Although the VCGR has granted a permit for the machines, residents still have one last chance to clock the proposal.

Plans for the Edgewater complex will be heard by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in March after the council refused to grant a planning permit in May.

Representatives from RAIDIM and the council will be attending the hearing to appeal against the commission’s decision.

“We’re looking forward to hearing their (the developers’) argument about the venue’s location in a shopping strip,” Mr De Fazio said.

“It’s a pretty black and white issue for us so it will be interesting to hear how they’re going to get around that one,” he said.

[Topdog]

Where were these people when the nightclub and pokies were setup at Highpoint?

[LostDoggy]

I don't know how many of our 30,000 members are residents of Maribyrnong but they should all rail against this motley crew and vote them out

[strebla]

This is getting beyond ridiculous the machines are already in the city of Maribyrnong get over it

[LostDoggy]

Residents Against Inappropriate Development In Maribynong or "RAIDIM" is the worst name for a group I've ever heard..they don't deserve to protest with a name like that

[ledge]

sounds like a fly spray

[Rocket Science]

Yes, all good arguments

...

I know it won't be popular 'round these parts, and the issue's obviously fraught with contradictions, but I'd have thought residents have every right to voice their concerns about affairs in their local area, especially where property developments are concerned.

Of course the club actively involves itself in a host of community programs, and its identification with and involvement in the local, mostly working class area is a key plank of the club's PR platform, and central to its image. However, once approved it'll also give an interesting new slant to the club's claims that it's a positive contributor to the social and economic fabric of its local neighbourhood.

On the other hand, you can't blame the club for attempting to raise revenue in the same way some of its rivals have.

One wonder how the AFL might respond if clubs tried generating revenue by operating a chain of brothels.

[Desipura]

Yes, all good arguments

...

I know it won't be popular 'round these parts, and the issue's obviously fraught with contradictions, but I'd have thought residents have every right to voice their concerns about affairs in their local area, especially where property developments are concerned.

Of course the club actively involves itself in a host of community programs, and its identification with and involvement in the local, mostly working class area is a key plank of the club's PR platform, and central to its image. However, once approved it'll also give an interesting new slant to the club's claims that it's a positive contributor to the social and economic fabric of its local neighbourhood.

On the other hand, you can't blame the club for attempting to raise revenue in the same way some of its rivals have.

One wonder how the AFL might respond if clubs tried generating revenue by operating a chain of brothels.

All great points Rocket. Regarding brothels you're right the response would not be positive and we all know it would never happen.
However, thinking outsde the square, if it reduces rape, it can't be a bad thing can it?

[Rocket Science]

...yes, in much the same way licensed gaming venues the length and breadth of the nation reduces random outbreaks of two-up in the streets.

Are you taking the piss?

[The Underdog]

Yes, all good arguments

...

I know it won't be popular 'round these parts, and the issue's obviously fraught with contradictions, but I'd have thought residents have every right to voice their concerns about affairs in their local area, especially where property developments are concerned.

Of course the club actively involves itself in a host of community programs, and its identification with and involvement in the local, mostly working class area is a key plank of the club's PR platform, and central to its image. However, once approved it'll also give an interesting new slant to the club's claims that it's a positive contributor to the social and economic fabric of its local neighbourhood.

On the other hand, you can't blame the club for attempting to raise revenue in the same way some of its rivals have.

One wonder how the AFL might respond if clubs tried generating revenue by operating a chain of brothels.

I agree, it's completely within the rights of residents to protest a decision they don't agree with. It's all well and good for me to want it to happen but I'm not even vaguely effected by the decision apart from the fact it will possibly have a positive effect for the football team I support. I'm also not sure how far we can take our "community club" branding if this is how we decide we can best make the money we need to survive. I'm also interested in the possibility of us taking on a gambling based business as a sponsor of some sort and how they would sell this along with our community club image.
Don't get me wrong I want what's best for the club and believe it can be a positive force both within the AFL and the community but I'm also pretty sure this city would be a better place if pokies were still banned.

[Desipura]

...yes, in much the same way licensed gaming venues the length and breadth of the nation reduces random outbreaks of two-up in the streets.

Are you taking the piss?

Not at all although I have no stats to back up my argument, just playing Devils advocate.

[Topdog]

Yes, all good arguments

...

I know it won't be popular 'round these parts, and the issue's obviously fraught with contradictions, but I'd have thought residents have every right to voice their concerns about affairs in their local area, especially where property developments are concerned.

Of course the club actively involves itself in a host of community programs, and its identification with and involvement in the local, mostly working class area is a key plank of the club's PR platform, and central to its image. However, once approved it'll also give an interesting new slant to the club's claims that it's a positive contributor to the social and economic fabric of its local neighbourhood.

On the other hand, you can't blame the club for attempting to raise revenue in the same way some of its rivals have.

One wonder how the AFL might respond if clubs tried generating revenue by operating a chain of brothels.

Who said they don't have the right to voice their concern?

My question was where were they when they allowed the nightclub and pokies at Highpoint?

And for about the millionth time this will NOT be adding any new pokies to the area. Just moving old ones.

[Mofra]

Where were these people when the nightclub and pokies were setup at Highpoint?

Oops; a salient point lost on the residents

[Mofra]

This is getting beyond ridiculous the machines are already in the city of Maribyrnong get over it

True, and I know some residents in the area are for the proposal as pokies will make up only 4% of the floorspace and at least give the locals somewhere within walking distance to have a drink & meal.

One resident has described the group as 50 or so zealots, with the majority of signatures coming from people outside the area; basically friends & family of RAIDIM.

[Rocket Science]

Who said they don't have the right to voice their concern?

Maybe I'm extrapolating, but the tenor of some of the above responses suggests RAIDIM's concerns are unimportant and that this mob should just shut up and go away.

And for about the millionth time this will NOT be adding any new pokies to the area. Just moving old ones.

That's precisely the point of their objection to the machines, their proposed location.

From the council themselves...

"There’s a huge difference between the ‘destination gambling’ which exists with the machines located at Whitten Oval – which requires people to travel to that venue specifically to gamble - with the ‘opportunistic’ gambling presented by the Edgewater venue."

Location obviously matters...Otherwise, why not permit the installation of pokies inside dole offices across the Western suburbs...stick a bottle'o in there too while yer at it...You'd make a killing.

Where were these people when the nightclub and pokies were setup at Highpoint?

Oops; a salient point lost on the residents

Which suggests what?...You've no business objecting to something unless you've objected to everything comparable that's preceded it?

Besides, they don't live near Highpoint, they live at Edgewater. From what I can gather, they're annoyed in part because residents purchased property there without being made aware there'd be a gaming facility plonked nearby.

True, and I know some residents in the area are for the proposal as pokies will make up only 4% of the floorspace and at least give the locals somewhere within walking distance to have a drink & meal.

I haven't heard anyone objecting to the dining facilities.

One resident has described the group as 50 or so zealots, with the majority of signatures coming from people outside the area; basically friends & family of RAIDIM.

Name calling?

Here's another salient point to consider;

"Each adult in Maribyrnong loses an average $1,148 per annum on electronic gaming machines, compared to $406 per annum for Port Phillip residents, and $599 for those living in the Melton shire, according to research from Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation (VCGR)."

And again from the council:

"Maribyrnong loses in excess of $1100 each year on pokie machines for every adult in our city – the highest for any municipality outside the City of Melbourne. Our losses are only $1 less per adult than the City of Melbourne now – which includes Crown Casino, a world-wide gambling destination"

Like shooting fish in a barrel really...what harm's another hand in their pocket?

It's a simplistic point to make but I'd have thought greater gambling losses for locals, also means less money for club memberships.

Irrespective, the point still remains as to how the club can reconcile this development with it's broader aim to be a positive force in its local community.

The fact is the club does do positive things in it's local community, and I know we badly need the money, but I just wish we'd find a more savoury means of generating it.