Whittlesea Council overturns decision to give $5m to Casa D’Abruzzo for sports stadium
An Epping social club’s plan to build a new sports stadium with pokie machines is on shaky ground after a council flipped on its decision to kick in $5m.
North
Don't miss out on the headlines from North. Followed categories will be added to My News.
After spending $200,000 on an anti-gambling campaign last year Whittlesea Council is overturning its controversial decision to hand over $5 million to a pokies venue in Epping.
In October the council signed an agreement with Casa D’Abruzzo where $5 million of ratepayers’ money would go towards a new four-court indoor netball and basketball stadium.
The social club would build the sports complex on private land.
But the move was met with controversy after the council’s 2018 focus on an anti-gambling strategy.
Whittlesea residents lost $6.5 million on poker machines in the 2018/19 financial year.
Mayor Emilia Sterjova said the fact the council would not own the land the courts would be built on had played a role in changing its decision.
“We understand that there is a need for more sports courts in our community and we will work strongly with the State Government through Growing Suburbs Fund to develop more sporting facilities across the City of Whittlesea,” she said.
Whittlesea Community Connections chief executive Alex Haynes praised the move.
“The impact of gaming on our community is harmful,” he said.
“You’ve got a history of being an anti-gambling council and yet you’re providing $5 million to a private provider dealing with a social club that has pokies — it creates a fogged confusion of what you are trying to achieve.
“But hearing council will review this is a very measured position to take — this is what good governance is about.”
MORE NEWS
ACTING WHITTLESEA BOSS WARNED OF ‘DIFFICULT TASK’ AHEAD
MOWER SHORTAGE BLAMED FOR LONG GRASS IN MELBOURNE’S NORTH
SIX-STOREY APARTMENT PLAN ON CARDS FOR THOMASTOWN STATION PRECINCT
Cr Mary Lalios said the community was “outraged” after the council’s original decision and applauded the change of heart.
“The initial decision to provide $5 million to Casa D’Abruzzo without any consultation with our community was poor form, with no rigorous process and against our gambling strategy,” she said.
“I am pleased the decision was overturned and that our community’s views were listened to.”
Cr Sterjova said council staff had updated Casa D’Abruzzo about the change.
Casa D’Abruzzo was contacted for comment.