AMENDMENT C154 - BALLARAT GAMING POLICY FRAMEWORK

A Planning Scheme Amendment to the Ballarat Planning Scheme has been prepared - Amendment C154 Implementation of the Ballarat Gaming Policy Framework.

The amendment implements the Ballarat Gaming Policy Framework (2011) through changes to Clauses 21.04 and 21.10 of the Ballarat Planning Scheme and introduces a Local Gaming Policy at Clause 22.13. The aim of the policy is to ensure that an appropriate balance is struck between providing access to electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and their recreational benefits, and Council’s broader responsibilities relating to community health and wellbeing.

What happens now?

In order for the Framework's recommendations to be converted to land use and development controls, the Ballarat Planning Scheme now needs to be updated. A process known as a Planning Scheme Amendment will now take place to update the Ballarat Planning Scheme.

This is a lengthy process whereby the State Government must assess the land use and development controls being put forward by Council.

An important step in the Planning Scheme Amendment process is the exhibition phase. The formal public exhibition period for Amendment C154 took place from Friday 9 March 2012 and concluded on Monday 16 April 2012.

Council conducted a drop-in information session on Tuesday 13 March 2012, between 4pm and 7pm, in the Trench Room at the Town Hall, Sturt Street, Ballarat. This session  enabled interested community members to drop in at their convenience, review the amendment documents and the Ballarat Gaming Policy Framework (2011) and ask any questions of officers about their content. There wasn't any formal presentation made, rather staff were available to answer questions and discuss any concerns.

The formal exhibition period for this Planning Scheme Amendment has now formally closed, submissions will be presented to Council for consideration in the near future.

The following documents were on exhibition from Friday 9 March 2012 to Monday 16 April 2012.

 Amendment C154 - exhibition documents  

• Notice of preparation of an amendment (317KB)
• Gazette preparation notice (25KB)
• List of changes (21KB)
• Explanatory report (38KB)
• Instruction sheet (10KB)
• List of amendments (24KB)
• Ballarat Gaming Policy Framework (2,382KB)

 Planning Scheme changes

• 03 contents (119KB)
• Clause 21.04 Land Uses (2,613KB)
• Clause 21.10 Reference Documents (43KB)
• Clause 22.13 Local Gaming Policy (80KB)

 Other information related to Amendment C154:

• Key information sheet (150KB)

If you have any questions or require any further information please contact the Strategic Planning Unit on (03) 5320 5536 or strategicplanning@ballarat.vic.gov.au

What has been done so far?

The Ballarat Gaming Policy Framework has been developed in response to changes to the State Planning Policy Framework that helps councils to have greater input into where gaming machines can be located. The Framework will assist Council in managing planning permit applications for electronic gaming machines by providing the strategic justification to allow the City of Ballarat to respond to gaming as a Statutory Planning concern. The Framework does not intend to influence the total number of gaming machines in the City.

Council sought feedback from the community and interested parties regarding its new plan for managing the location of electronic gaming machines in Ballarat. The informal comment period has now finished and all submissions made to the  Framework have been processed and presented back to council. Nine submissions were received.

At its meeting held on 23rd November 2011, Council  resolved to:

1. Acknowledge the submissions received during the informal comment period and adopt the Ballarat Gaming Policy Framework.

2. Resolve to seek Authorisation from the Minister for Planning to prepare an amendment to the Ballarat Planning Scheme to implement the Ballarat Gaming Policy Framework under section 8A(3) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

3. Following authorisation, place the Ballarat Gaming Policy Framework on public exhibition. 

It is then anticipated the proposed Ballarat Gaming Policy Framework will be implemented into the Ballarat Planning Scheme. 

•  Council Report 23rd November 2011 (45KB)

If you have any questions or require any further information please contact the Strategic Planning Unit on (03) 5320 5536 or strategicplanning@ballarat.vic.gov.au.

The City of Ballarat has now received authorisation from the Minister for Planning to prepare a planning scheme amendment. The Framework is now on formal public exhibition.