Mansfield Shire Council calls in consultant to get local views on more gaming machines

Written by Pam Zierk-Mahoney.

A CONSULTANT has been commissioned by Mansfield Shire Council to survey residents on their attitude towards Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) within the shire.

It follows a review of council’s gaming policy for the municipality involving EGMs, which began last June.

Wallis Group Consulting will survey residents to gauge their attitude towards EGMs.

The survey will aim to identify community opinions on the impact additional EGMs will place on community wellbeing, perceived positive and negative effects that EGMs may cause, and preferred locations within the shire.

The survey comes after the Gaming Commission announced that allocations of EGMs could be doubled for the shire, up from its current 29 machines.

These are owned and operated by the Mansfield Golf Club.

Under the Gaming Commission’s regulations gaming machines should be equally divided between clubs and hotels.

Hotel Delatite publican Paul Appleby last month announced he intended to build a new centre for EGMs with planning permits to go to council in the near future.

Mr Appleby said he was uncertain how many machines he would apply for, but current regulations allow a local hotel venue to apply for up to 29 machines.

In June last year council commenced a review of its gaming policy for the municipality.

"Council recognises playing EGMs is a legitimate form of recreational and social activity," council’s director of sustainable development, Kim Steinle, said.

"However, it can come with negative consequences for some people, their families and the broader community.