Residents will have a chance to have their say on the City of Ballarat’s draft Gaming Policy Framework, proposed to become part of the Ballarat Planning Scheme.

The draft framework forms part of Council’s push to reduce the number of Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) in the city, following the adoption of the Gaming Machine Community Policy on 24 August. 

Ballarat Responsible Gambling Committee Chariman and City Councillor Des Hudson said the draft framework had been developed in response to changes to state policy which allows Councils to have greater input into the location of EMGs.

“By increasing the planning control over gaming, Council can influence the location of gaming machines and give consideration to the social and economic effects of new gaming machines”.

“While we understand that electronic gaming is a legal business and recreational activity, the amount of money spent in Ballarat on it is of great concern to us”.

“Over $55 million was generated by electronic gaming in Ballarat in 2010. It’s a great deal of money, particularly when we consider the location of many machines in socially disadvantaged areas of our municipality”.

“The framework will seek to prevent new machines from locating in these areas and focus them more in the CBD and major recreational facilities”.

If adopted into the Planning Scheme, the framework will guide all applications within the City of Ballarat municipality for EGMs.

Council is currently conducting an informal consultation period on the draft framework. Submissions can be sent to strategicplanning@ballarat.vic.gov.au or mailed to PO Box 655, Ballarat VIC 3353 marked to the attention of Strategic Planning.

Submissions close on Monday 10 October. These will be submitted to Council for consideration after which a Planning Scheme Amendment will be prepared. A formal exhibition period will take place as part of this process, giving the public another chance to comment.