Battle to have poker machines installed at South Morang’s Commercial Hotel heads to the Supreme Court

ALH Group has lodged an appeal with the Victorian Supreme Court in a bid to have 40 poker machines installed at South Morang’s Commercial Hotel.

A PUSH to install poker machines at a South Morang pub is heading to the Supreme Court.

The ALH Group, which is owned by Woolworths, has lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court for 40 poker machines at the Commercial Hotel, two months after the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal upheld a Whittlesea Council decision to block the machines. The Victorian Commission Gambling and Liquor Regulation also knocked back the machines bid.

ALH spokesman David Curry said the group taken its time to carefully consider its decision.

“We felt we had strong grounds for appeal,” Mr Curry said.

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However, Alliance for Gambling Reform director Tim Costello said the group displayed a “shameful contempt for the South Morang and broader Whittlesea communities”.

“Woolworths needs to respect Whittlesea’s strong and clear opposition to the installation of poker machines at the venue,” Mr Costello said.

“Why can’t they accept the umpire’s decision and not impose further harm by converting a pokies free venue like the Commercial Hotel.”

Mr Costello also suggested Woolworths should limit pokie venue hours rather than try to increase to machines.

“Instead of arrogantly taking the council and the State Government to court, Woolworths should instead move to reduce the enormous harm it inflicts on the community by reducing hours at its three Whittlesea venues.”

Whittlesea Community Connections chief executive Alex Haynes said her organisation saw the effect gambling had on the community every day.

“We will do whatever we can to reduce the harm gambling causes to families,” she said.

The drawn-out saga began in March 2017 when ALH took on the council and the VCGLR at VCAT in a bid to get their decisions overturned.

Whittlesea Council did not respond before deadline.

@paulshapiro1117