Change to DA (additional Poker machines) MCU16/0079.02

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Tewantin Noosa RSL & Citizens Club Inc.
Memorial Avenue Tewantin Queensland 4565 - PO Box 15 Tewantin Queensland 4565
Telephone (07) 5447 1766 Facsimile (07) 5449 9272 Website www.noosarsl.com.au email [email protected]

 

10 May, 2018

Noosa Council

Planning & Development
[email protected]
9 Pelican Street

TEWANTIN QLD 4565

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
MCU16 0079 01 - APPLICATION TO VARY EXISTING CONDITION SECTION 4 ITEM 3

| refer to a meeting with Michael Cantori on 8 May, 2018. The purpose of the meeting was
to discuss three conditions detailed in MCU16 0079.01. The issues associated with two of
the conditions were satisfactorily resolved at the meeting. It was determined that a formal
submission should be made to Council in relation to the third condition, seeking to remove a
restriction on the permitted number of Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) at Tewantin
Noosa RSL & Citizens Memorial Club Inc. (TNRSL)

Currently the condition states — “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 modification as shown on the
approved plans.”

This application seeks to remove the reference “providing for a maximum of 180 gaming
machines”.

In support of this application we provide the following information:

The Club was established in 1920 on one land lot at the current site. During the following
90+ years the Club has undergone a number of alterations to increase its footprint which has
involved some important land acquisitions. In this time there were ongoing refurbishments
to ensure the facility offering remained viable and relevant. Today the Club now occupies
eight land lots at the corner of Memorial Avenue, Doonella Street and Pelican Street and is a
significant community facility.

The TNRSL has a current membership that exceeds 11,000 with 400+ of these being
returned service personnel. The Club employs 95+ staff and predominantly sources good
and services from within the local community which has a very positive impact on the local
economy.

Sewing She Community

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Tewantin Noosa RSL & Citizens Club Inc.
Memorial Avenue Tewantin Queensland 4565 - PO Box 15 Tewantin Queensland 4565
Telephone (07) 5447 1766 Facsimile (07) 5449 9272 Website www.noosars|.com.au email [email protected]

 

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The Club provides support to its returned services personnel in the form of Welfare Officers,
and financial assistance to the Sub Branch across a broad range of its activities. These
services would be unduly impacted upon if the revenue stream of the Club was negatively
affected.

The Club provides numerous facilities and services for members, guests and visitors
including, but not limited to, a 270 seat dining area, 80 seat Café, Lounge area, Function
area/s, Gaming room, Children’s room, entertainment, multiple bar areas and bottle shop.

These facilities are also utilised by many community groups as an ‘in-kind’ donation from the
Club to the community, to allow them to promote and fundraise for their causes.

During the last five years the Club has donated over $1.9million in Cash and ‘In-kind’ to the
community, an average of $386k per year. Last financial year the donation was $441k and
based on the current spend this will see the Club again exceed the 400k for this financial
year.

In recent times, primarily the last 20+ years, the Club has refocused its operations to
guarantee that it provides meaningful community benefit as part of its Charter. As part of
this process the Club has increased the number of EGMss from its original nine to the current
195.

It is readily acknowledged within the industry that the primary source of revenue that
enables licensees to contribute to community benefit is obtained from gaming. This is not
unique to our Club but relates to all venues which hold a Community Club Liquor Licence and
Gaming Machine Licence.

The TNRSL has developed a major business plan which has been in place for a number of
years to ensure that it remains a viable financial entity in the Tewantin Noosa area and can
continue to contribute ‘Community Benefits’.

Part of this Business Plan is based on the Club’s ability to continue providing gaming services
and grow the revenue stream from same, in other words the ability to increase the number
of EGMs available for use at the Club.

In assessing the proposed growth of Gaming, the Business Plan considered numerous
factors, one of which was community demand. This assessment is also considered in line
with the growth and development of the local community.

The current redevelopment process included the Licensee lodging an application with the

Office of Liquor & Gaming Regulation (OLGR) to increase the number of EGMs from 180 to
195. This application was approved in August 2017.

Sewing She Community

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Tewantin Noosa RSL & Citizens Club Inc.
Memorial Avenue Tewantin Queensland 4565 - PO Box 15 Tewantin Queensland 4565
| Telephone (07) 5447 1766 Facsimile (07) 5449 9272 Website www.noosars!.com.au email [email protected]

 

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When increasing the number of EGMs at a venue, parking facilities are a major
consideration. As such additional car parking spaces were developed and the Licensee
operates three courtesy buses to assist people visiting the Club.

We would respectfully request that the reference to the restriction on the maximum
| number of gaming machines, permitted at the TNRSL, be removed from the relevant item in

| the MCU as detailed above.

Yours sincerely

Phil Stephenson ACCM
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER