Moreland Council takes Glenroy RSL pokies fight to Supreme Court

A VCAT decision to allow Glenroy RSL to add 10 poker machines has incensed the local council so much that it has taken the matter to the Supreme Court.

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MORELAND Council is going to have its day in the Supreme Court over a proposal to boost poker machine numbers at the Glenroy RSL.

The RSL applied to increase the number of machines at its Glenroy Rd venue from 40 to 50 in 2015, an application that was denied by the Moreland Urban Planning Committee.

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In April the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal overturned the decision after an appeal from the RSL.

But the council this week announced it has taken steps to challenge the decision, which will result in a trial in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

“Moreland City Council is extremely disappointed that VCAT has taken this stance,” Moreland Mayor Cr Helen Davidson said.

“We believe there is a strong legal basis to challenge its decision.

“Nearly $52 million dollars was lost by gamblers in Moreland on gaming machines since July last year. It must stop.”

The original rejection by the committee fell in line with a 2016 addition to the Moreland Planning Scheme to limit the impact of gambling in the community.

The application also included minor building alterations inside and outside the venue.

Core reasons for VCAT granting the appeal were that Moreland does not have a concentration of electronic gaming machines and that the extra 10 would not push it over the edge.

VCAT found the location and socio-economic disadvantage of the area to be at normal levels, which was contrary to council concerns.

“We amended our Planning Scheme for cases exactly like this, to protect vulnerable areas of our community from those addictive and damaging machines,” Cr Davidson said.

Glenroy RSL declined to comment.