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[2012] VCAT 1343
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
2012-08-28
Original judgment source is linked above.
To ensure that gaming machines are situated in appropriate locations and premises.
To ensure the social and economic impacts of the location of gaming machines are considered.
To prohibit gaming machines in specified shopping complexes and strip shopping centres.
In considering an application in addition to the decision guidelines of Clause 65, the responsible authority must consider, as appropriate:
Is the proposal supported by the policies within the Planning Scheme?
The important point for our purposes is that pursuant to Clause 11, where a planning permit applicant puts forward its case as to the planning merits of a proposal, it must do more than demonstrate that the proposal will not cause any net planning detriment. Similarly, it is not enough for an applicant to demonstrate that the proposal will maintain a break even situation in terms of its net community impacts. Rather, it is clear that an applicant must demonstrate that the proposal will go beyond 'break even" to create a net community benefit i.e. a positive planning outcome.
One of the objectives of the policy is "to ensure that gaming venues achieve a net community benefit". In our opinion, this objective is contrary to clause 11 of the State Planning Policy Framework, which contains an endeavour to integrate the range of policies relevant to the issues to be determined and to balance conflicting objectives within those policies in favour of net community benefit and sustainable development. We agree with the findings in Prizac Investments Pty Ltd v Maribyrnong CC[9] and CK & Sons Pty Ltd v Bayside CC[10] that clause 11[11] does not set out a particular test, unlike the provisions contained within section 3.3.7 of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 - that the net economic and social impact will not be detrimental to the wellbeing of the community of the municipal district in which the premises are located. We agree with Prizac that there are different roles and responsibilities under the gaming application and the planning application. It appears to us that this 2010 policy objective may be contrary to the gaming legislation that mandates no net community detriment (as opposed to achieving a net community benefit). Ultimately, we agree with the findings in Prizac and CK & Sons that a proposal does not necessarily fail if an applicant cannot demonstrate a net benefit, particularly in a case where there may be a neutral outcome[12]. At the same time, the objective to balance policies in favour of net community benefit where possible is generally relevant to planning permit applications for the use of land for gaming.
There is a need to continue to support the disadvantaged, disabled and low income to remain in the city through appropriately designed and located housing.
Pressure for licensed premises and gaming venues is also growing. Both have an important entertainment role in the municipality, however, they need to be appropriately sited and managed to ensure their social impacts on the community are minimised.
While gambling is a legal activity, the policy acknowledges that there are links between vulnerable communities, problem gambling and proximity to gaming venues. The Port Phillip Responsible Gambling Policy seeks to discourage the location of gaming machines in proximity to vulnerable communities.
...gaming venues need to be appropriately sited and managed to ensure that the amenity, social and economic impacts of gaming on the community are minimised.
Port Phillip has 9 Census Collector Districts (CCDs) with a SEIFA score of less than 900 that is, in the bottom 15% of collector districts in Australia. All 9 CCDs are within 2.5km of the venue and of which 4 are within the suburb of Port Melbourne. The 4 within Port Melbourne all contain public housing estates: 44 Raglan Street, 186 Stokes Street, 16-46 Barak Road and 2 Tom Hills Court.
An additional complication for the responsible authority's case in terms of evidence is that Mr Weston did not satisfy us of the increased risk that might be posed to the public housing community compared with that which already exists by their ability to access thousands of similar machines at Crown Casino, less than 700 metres away. While we might assume that a local venue may be more attractive to these people for a number of reasons and/or likely to be used more frequently, there was no reliable evidence presented on this issue. Similarly, there was no persuasive evidence presented that increased availability or more frequent use would necessarily equate to higher numbers of problem gamblers or other social/ economic vulnerabilities in this case.
The evidence shows that the proposed premises is within 400m of social housing. The Commission accepts that there are pockets of disadvantage in the municipality but finds that overall the municipality is affluent and can absorb, without net detriment, the additional machines.
Although the tribunal must proceed without any presumption as to the correctness of the decision under review[16] , it will usually be appropriate for the tribunal to give weight to the Commission's decision in the matter. There are two reasons for this. First, the Commission has particular expertise in the area of gaming. Second, there is a public interest in consistency of decision making in the exercise of powers under the Act and this may be advanced if weight is given to Commission decisions.
In this case, the egm market in the municipality is mature, and the addition of 29 more egms into such a market is unlikely to increase the probability of problem gambling.
........is a lawful, regulated activity that is intended to be accessible to the Victorian community and visitors to the State. It is recognised as a source of recreation, entertainment and social interaction and enjoyed by many members of the community without harm and ill effects. It is also seen as a means of promoting tourism, employment and economic development within the State'.
Will the proposal result in unreasonable impacts on the amenity of nearby residential properties?
10.00am - 1.00am the following day - Thursday to Saturday.
The Plan, including the matters specified herein, may be amended to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority. When approved, the Plan is to be implemented to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.
The Responsible Authority may extend the periods referred to if a request is made in writing before the permit expires or within three months afterwards.
The undertaking set out in order 4 may be included as a permit note.
[1] We have considered all submissions although we do not recite all of the contents in these reasons.
[2] From February 2012, the VCGR role of administering and regulating the gaming industry was incorporated into the VCGLR - Victorian Commission for Gaming and Liquor Regulation.
[3] In the Matter of the Bay and Bridge Hotel, VCGR (3 February 2012)
[4] Ms Bakogiannis was joined as a party under Section 60 of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998
[5] Bay Street properties 145-415 (odd numbers) (excluding land at the rear of 159-163 (odd numbers) and at the rear of 181), 178-312 (even numbers) (excluding land at the rear of 202), 350-372 (even numbers), 456 and 462 Bay St; 81, 83, 82-86 (even numbers) Raglan St; 78-134 (even numbers) Heath St; 112-120 (even numbers) and 121-125 (odd numbers) Bridge St; 8, 14 and 30 Lalor St; 96-100 (even numbers) Spring St North; 101 Spring St South; 1-27 (odd numbers) Crockford St.
[11] The provisions referred to are now in clause 10.
[13] Destination Gaming - evaluating the benefits for Victoria - Department of Justice, Victoria May 2008
[14] [2005] VCAT 2606 paragraph 39
[15] For example nightclubs and taverns
[17] Tan v Kingston CC (includes Summary ) (Red Dot) [2011] VCAT 470
Bay & Bridge Hotel Pty Ltd
Port Phillip CC & Ors [2012] VCAT 1343
Bells Hotel Pty Ltd v Port Phillip CC [2010] VCAT 569:
Branbeau Pty Ltd v Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation & Shire of Baw Baw [2005] VCAT 2606.
Tan v Kingston CC (includes Summary ) (Red Dot) [2011] VCAT 470
Bright Newbay Pty Ltd v Bayside CC [2010] VCAT 1347