By Alesha Capone
Plans for a $56 million entertainment venue in Truganina, which would have included 80 gaming machines, have been knocked back by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
As reported by Star Weekly, Truganina Metropolitan Pty Ltd was seeking permission to build a seven-storey integrated entertainment and commercial venue on the corner of Leakes and Palmers Road, along with a serviced apartment hotel and residential building, a 200-seat bistro and more than 270 carparks.
Rugby league club Melbourne Storm would have operated the venue.
VCAT presiding member Picha Djohan and member Cindy Wilson found there was an “absence of net community benefit” in the proposal.
They said that the proposed gaming venue and electronic gaming machines were contrary to Wyndham council’s electronic gaming Policy, noting that new gaming machines were “discouraged” in locations where the social and economic locational context was still emerging, and the impact of a gaming venue could not be accurately determined.
Although the planning application was exempt from public notice, due to Urban Growth Zone provisions, Wyndham council received objections to the proposal from residents and Hobsons Bay council.
Wyndham mayor Adele Hegedich said the VCAT decision was a victory for residents.
“Gaming machines do more harm than good,” Cr Hegedich said.
“This decision sends a clear message that Wyndham opposes additional gaming machines in areas where there is already financial vulnerability.
“This is particularly relevant in the wake of COVID-19, where many of our residents have been significantly impacted in both a financial and social sense.
“Wyndham City was the eighth-highest Victorian municipality for gambling losses in 2018–2019.
“We need to reduce the risk and reduce the harm that these machines cause in our community.”
Cr Hegedich said Wyndham was already home to 903 electronic gaming machines.
“Wyndham City has been advocating for some time for the state government to seriously consider capping the number of electronic gaming machines in Wyndham at current levels,” she said.
