Wyndham Council fights off Truganina pokie venue plan

A developer was so keen to bring 80 pokie machines to Truganina they offered to pay $100k to charity. Find out if it scored a win.

VCAT rejected a plan to build a new hotel and gaming venue in Truganina on Tuesday, saying it would be of little benefit to the area.

A developer’s bid to bring dozens of pokie machines to Truganina has been knocked back in a win for Wyndham Council.

The $54 million seven-storey development proposed for the corner of Leakes and Palmers roads attracted outrage from residents at nearby homes who filed objections with the council, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal heard.

In handing down its decision on Tuesday, the tribunal rejected developer Truganina Metropolitan Pty Ltd’s submissions the project would benefit the community.

Legal counsel acting on behalf of the developer submitted the plans, which included a hotel, apartments, a bar and a gaming floor with 80 electronic gaming machines, would create 119 construction jobs and 40 ongoing full time positions.

They also submitted the developer was willing to inject $100,000 cash into the municipality through donations to community groups and charities in an effort to get the proposal over the line.

But tribunal members Picha Djohan and Cindy Wilson said they judged these benefits to be marginal to low because no proof was provided the jobs would go to Wyndham locals.

They also said not enough information was given to explain how the cash donations would be distributed.

“While these are legitimate forms of pleasure, problem gambling can cause significant community harm and planning is required to ensure that any proposed new gaming venues are established in appropriate areas,” they said.

The council opposed the developer’s application, which was brought to the tribunal after it failed to make a decision within the statutory time frame.

It argued there was limited choice of other recreational, sport and entertainment options in the area, rendering residents who lived nearby more vulnerable to developing problem gambling.

The council also submitted the design of the building, with toilets, a bar and smoking area attached to the gaming floor, did not encourage people to take breaks.

If approved, the gaming venue would have operated from 7am to 3am, with the bar and bistro open from 7am to 2am.

The proposed development was also near Doherty’s Creek Primary School and Truganina Early Learning Centre.