By Alesha Capone
The Alliance for Gambling Reform fears a proposal to build a venue with 70 gaming machines in Truganina could cause “significant harm” to the local community.
Werribee Football Club is seeking permission to construct a $12 million licensed venue, to be named Club Tarneit, at 115 Woods Road.
The application is listed on the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation’s (VCGLR) website for a hearing at a date yet to be announced, while a permit application has also been lodged with Wyndham council.
Documents lodged with the VCGLR state that the football club is seeking to construct a two-storey building, including a 200-seat bistro with an alfresco terrace, three function rooms, sports bar, café, community hub and 228 carparks.
A total of 42 equivalent full-time jobs would be created at Club Tarneit.
Estimates show that Club Tarneit’s gaming machines could earn between $7.38 million and $8.03 million within the first 12 months of operation.
The Werribee FC documents state the club has “a history of extensive support of the Wyndham community” including a commitment to make $100,000 in cash contributions every year to local sporting and community groups.
If the Club Tarneit application is approved, the club would commit an addition $75,000 in cash contributions per annum (for the life of the 70 pokies machines’ entitlements) to groups in Wyndham.
However, Alliance for Gambling Reform’s chief advocate, the Reverend Tim Costello, said the organisation was worried about the Club Tarneit proposal.
“We are concerned about this venue, with its proposed opening hours of 8am-2am daily, as it is in close proximity to a retirement village, a main train line and a major shopping precinct,” he said.
“While the Werribee Football Club claims to have the intention of providing community services and amenities for the community through the income of these machines, the harm that will be done by this venue far outweighs any good it will do for the community.”
Reverend Costello said that in previous years, Wyndham’s gaming machines had earned more than $106 million in profits, and that additional machines may “cause even further harm” in the municipality.
Reverend Costello has urged residents to make a submission about the Club Tarneit proposal at the VCGLR, at apps.vcglr.vic.gov.au/, or visit www.pokiesplayyou.org.au/wyndham_woods_rd for more details.
