By Alesha Capone
Werribee Football Club is proposing to build a $12 million licensed venue with 70 electronic gaming machines in Truganina.
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.
A planning permit application for the venue at 115 Wood Road has been lodged with Wyndham council.
Documents lodged with the VCGLR show that the football club is seeking to construct a two-storey building to accommodate a bistro, function space, gaming room with 70 pokies machines, sports bar and café, which would be named Club Tarneit.
The application is also seeking permission to build 228 carparks, which is 49 more than required under planning regulations.
The club, if approved, would have the capacity to hold 600 members and guests.
The proposed hours of operation for Club Tarneit’s licensed premises are Monday to Sunday from 8am to 2am.
A total of 42 equivalent full-time jobs would be created at Club Tarneit, including eight in the gaming room.
An analysis of the football club’s proposal, undertaken by Ratio and quoted in the football club’s application, said: “On balance the 70 electronic gaming machines (EGMs) proposed at this venue will have a positive net social and economic impact upon the local community and more broadly with respect to the City of Wyndham.”
Another report submitted along with the application, by ShineWing Australia Advisors and Accountants, said that the level of gaming expenditure generated by the venue’s 70 pokies machines would likely fall between $7.38 and $8.03 million within its first 12 months of operation.
If approved, it is anticipated the pokies machines would be installed when the club commences operations during the 2022-2023 financial year.
The application said that establishing Club Tarneit “will ensure ongoing financial variability of Werribee Football Club”.
“While the proposal does include the installation of some electronic gaming machines, it is not the focus the operation which is based around the venue’s affiliation with the Werribee Football Club,” the document read.
Details: apps.vcglr.vic.gov.au/
