2018-12-11 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                             11 DECEMBER 2018


In Queensland, the number of gaming machines increased from 20,888 in July 2004 to 24,583 in
July 2018. The amount of money lost by players of gaming machines has also increased during
this period from $68,520,536 to $93,725,270 (data provided by the Office of Liquor and Gaming
Regulation (OLGR)).

While electronic gaming machines have traditionally been regulated at a State level, the continued
increase in the number of gaming machines raises significant concerns at a local level.

Research suggests problem users are significantly more likely to experience depression as a result
of gambling, experience disruptions to family and social lives, have debts due to gambling and
experience disruptions to work and study. There is some evidence that gambling, especially on
poker and gaming machines has led to social problems in society, such as personal financial
pressures, emotional distress, domestic violence, employment difficulties, suicide and crime
(Productivity Commission, 1999).

As a result of those concerns, Council put forward a motion to the recent LGAQ State conference
as follows:

“That the Local Government Association of Queensland advocates to the Department of State
Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning to amend planning legislation to define
electronic gaming machines as a land use and permit planning schemes to address both the land
use as well as the social impacts of electronic gaming machines on communities.”

A copy of Council’s motion is provided at Attachment 1 together with LGAQ’s commentary on the
matter.

Council’s motion was successful at the State conference and now forms part of the LGAQ policy
position. The Association will undertake lobbying of the State government in due course.

2.   Joining the Gambling Alliance Reform Group

The Gambling Alliance Reform Group is a national advocacy organisation that works to prevent
and minimise harm from gambling. Their aim is to remove the shame that surrounds gambling
addiction, have the problem treated as a public health issue, and achieve the legislative changes
needed to protect communities. The Alliance is headed by Mr Tim Costello and is a broad coalition
of organisations that are working towards a similar goal. Membership consists a significant number
of New South Wales and Victorian local governments, churches and other community based
organisations who have concerns about the proliferation of poker machines and their impact on
community well-being.

More information about the Gambling Alliance Reform Group can be found on their website -
http://www.pokiesplayyou.org.au/about

There are a significant number of local governments from New South Wales and Victoria that are
members of the Gambling Alliance Reform Group. As yet, there are no member Councils from
Queensland. A list of current Alliance members and supporters can be found on their website:
http://www.pokiesplayyou.org.au/the_alliance

As a result of lobbying, local governments in some other States have achieved the outcome that
our Council is seeking to achieve in Queensland - namely, consideration of the number of poker
machines (and their social impact) as a town planning matter for local government.




                                                                                   Page 61 of 72