Planning & Building

Amendment C88 - Gaming Policy

Panel Report Released

The amendment will apply to all planning permit applications for electronic gaming machines in Port Philip and guide planning decisions.

Council has received the report from the independent planning panel reviewing Amendment C88.

The Panel recommended that Council adopt the amendment subject to some specific changes. See the Panel Report.

Council will consider the Panel's report at an upcoming Council meeting in June.

What Amendment C88 does

The amendment proposes to make the following changes to the Port Phillip Planning Scheme:

Introduce an updated Local Planning Policy on Gaming to the Port Phillip Planning Scheme at Clause 22.07. The proposed policy will guide planning decisions for electronic gaming machines in Port Philip. It provides guidance on the location of new gaming machines, the management of potential amenity impacts and application requirements.
Introduce the Port Phillip Responsible Gambling Policy (2011) as a reference document in the Port Phillip Planning Scheme.

The proposed policy is based on Council’s Responsible Gambling Policy, adopted in May 2011.

A key objective of the proposed planning policy is to reduce the impact of gaming on vulnerable communities by managing the location of new electronic gaming machines.

The proposed policy also seeks to ensure that the potential amenity, social and economic impacts of gaming facilities are taken into account when deciding on planning applications.

What has Happened so far

The amendment was publicly exhibited from September through October 2011.

Ten submissions were received to the amendment.

The submissions were considered by Council on 12 December 2011.

The Council decided to refer the submissions and amendment to an independent planning panel for review.

The panel hearing was held on 4 April 2012 and Council has now received the Panel's report.

The next step in the process is that Council will review the Panel's recommendations and decide whether to accept them.

If adopted, Council will then refer the amendment to the Minister for Planning for final approval.

Proposed Changes to the Planning Scheme - How to find out more

To review the proposed changes to the planning scheme and amendment documentation such as the explanatory report, click on the links below. Hard copies of the documents can be viewed at municipal offices and libraries.

Please Note: The documents below reflect Amendment C88 ‘as exhibited’. Council will now consider changes to the Local Policy – Gaming (Clause 22.07) in line with the recommendations of the Independent Planning Panel.

For further information

Contact Leonie Kirkwood, Senior Strategic Planner - Ph 9209 6344 or email lkirkwoo@portphillip.vic.gov.au