2018-07-10 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    10 JULY 2018


3.2. Statutory Instruments – Planning Scheme
Condition
3.   The proposed development provides for an extension to the Gaming Area (providing for a
     maximum of 180 gaming machines), Smokers Terrace, Store, Children’s Lounge,
     basement carpark area and other internal modifications as shown on the approved plans.
Applicant’s Request
The applicant requests that the condition be amended to remove the reference to the number of
gaming machines to read as follows:
3.   The proposed development provides for an extension to the Gaming Area, Smokers
     Terrace, Store, Children’s Lounge, basement carpark area and other internal modifications
     as shown on the approved plans.
The applicant suggests that the RSL expect to increase the number of gaming machines into the
future depending on demand. These machines will be contained within the approved floor areas.
A letter of support has been provided by the applicant which is included in Attachment 1.
Assessment of Request
The proposal to amend the condition to facilitate the increase in the number of gaming machines
from 180 to 195 does not raise any conflict with the Planning Scheme as The Noosa Plan does
not regulate the number of gaming machines any business or commercial use may have. The
proposed increase in gaming machine numbers does not trigger additional carparking as there is
no increase to the gaming floor area.
The condition restricting the number of gaming machines was included in the original approval
reflective of the material provided at the time of lodgement of the application.
The applicant has submitted an application to the relevant authority, the Office of Liquor &
Gaming Regulation and has since obtained approval to increase the number of gaming machines
from 180 to 195. The request was approved by the Office of Liquor and Gaming in August 2017.
The Office of Gaming Regulation currently regulates and controls gaming machines in clubs and
hotels in Queensland under the Gaming Machine Act 1991. In Queensland there is currently no
cap on gaming machines in clubs. The objective of the Act is to ensure that the community as a
whole benefits from gaming by ensuring the integrity and fairness of games, ensuring the probity
of operators and minimising the potential harm.
There is also a Responsible Gambling Code of Practice developed by the state in May 2002 and
is a voluntary code designed to promote harm minimisation through the use of responsible
gambling practices.
Notwithstanding this, the continued increase in the number of gaming machines raises some
concerns at a local level as while it may provide entertainment that may be harmless to some
people it can also be a source of great distress for a significant minority.
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).
Council does not currently have a policy position with regard to limiting any increase in poker
machines and gaming venues and the Noosa Plan does not regulate the number of gaming
machines in any business. Council may wish to investigate establishing a policy position on this
issue to guide future considerations and seek to minimise any potential harm associated with
gambling to the extent it can.


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