Gambling in Brimbank Reaches All Time High
Here is more reason for councillors to have supported the motion on pokies that I put to the chamber in February 2009 to increase the differential rate on commercial gaming venues in Brimbank.
It has been revealed that Brimbank has hit number one in poker machine losses to the state and the misery and tragedy are enormous and increasing.
Gaming is a significant community problem now in Brimbank and affects the entire community, not just problem gamblers. As we all know Gambling related problems are mainly associated with Electronic Gaming Machines (better known as pokies). According to our Council 2006 Policy, Brimbank is ranked third on the SEIFA scale of disadvantage in Victoria (click here to view Policy). And despite a low density rank of 7.3 pokies per 1000 adults, gaming losses are significantly higher than areas with higher machine densities and are now the most severe of any municipality in the state with $58 million spent on its 953 poker machines in the first five months of the 2008-09 financial year.
Council's Gambling Policy Statement and Gambling Action Plan 2006-2009 recognises that while gambling is a legitimate form of leisure and entertainment, it is also can have terrible consequences for people, their families and the broader community. The Policy seeks to integrate this policy position into all key plans and strategies.
A differential rate levied on commercial gaming venues would be one method of integrating Council’s policy position into our strategies, making it less attractive for venues to profit from pokies in our municipality.
Moreland City Council has recently introduced such a rate (click here to see what they've achieved). And I had hoped to see overwhelming support behind this idea here in Brimbank. Unfortunately it was not supported and Council instead moved to seek a briefing from officers on
the possibility of a differential rate for commercial gaming properties and
the possibility of the rate being levied at twice the commercial industrial rate.
But I must say I'm getting tired of my fellow councillors deferring for yet another briefing, instead of informing themselves on such critical issues prior to council meetings. Time and again they have effectively deferred the No Vote until a later date, allowing a public decision to be removed from its currency and context.
See recent story in The Brimbank Leader, 'Brimbank pokies raining millions' 04/08/2009
Perhaps for the sake of contrasting it to the responsible and responsive leadership that Moreland City Council have demonstrated
'Pokies tax plan for Moreland', Moreland Leader 18/05/2009
The motion on pokies that I put to the chamber in February 2009 sadly did not yield a seconder.
Showing posts with label council meeting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label council meeting. Show all posts
4.8.09
28.7.09
Container Deposits
I lodged a new notice of motion for Council to support a National Scheme as legislation is currently being debated at the federal level.
With community members telling me they have great concerns about the amounts of litter in our streets and water ways, this is a very practical solution that turns litter into community money and litter bugs into recyclers. Click here to see the motion and my address to the chamber.
Unfortunately Council voted to defer this motion until the Ordinary Council meeting in August. Watch this space for more container deposit discussion!
I lodged a new notice of motion for Council to support a National Scheme as legislation is currently being debated at the federal level.
With community members telling me they have great concerns about the amounts of litter in our streets and water ways, this is a very practical solution that turns litter into community money and litter bugs into recyclers. Click here to see the motion and my address to the chamber.
Unfortunately Council voted to defer this motion until the Ordinary Council meeting in August. Watch this space for more container deposit discussion!
22.6.09
Meeting Procedure Local Law
One of the suite of documents drafted to showcase how Council has changed includes a review of the Brimbank Local Meeting Law. As it turns out one of the key changes is grossly undemocratic.
In an obvious attempt to stifle independent opinions and debate, the 10 Labor councillors voted to require a second councillor's signature before any motion can be moved. Whilst the other ten councillors remain a bloc of sorts, this effectively means my motions remain unheard in the chamber unless I receive their consent.
As the only non-Labor councillor, it is clear that this is change to meeting procedure is aimed at preventing me from moving any motions and raising issues that I, as an elected representative, believe is in the community's interest.
With the whole of Victoria watching Brimbank and the conduct of Brimbank Councillors, we need to demonstrate that we are a democratic Council making transparent and accountable decisions.
I would be very interested to know Bill Scales' view on this.
http://brimbankgreensmedia.blogspot.com/2009/06/greens-councillor-condemns-brimbank.html
One of the suite of documents drafted to showcase how Council has changed includes a review of the Brimbank Local Meeting Law. As it turns out one of the key changes is grossly undemocratic.
In an obvious attempt to stifle independent opinions and debate, the 10 Labor councillors voted to require a second councillor's signature before any motion can be moved. Whilst the other ten councillors remain a bloc of sorts, this effectively means my motions remain unheard in the chamber unless I receive their consent.
As the only non-Labor councillor, it is clear that this is change to meeting procedure is aimed at preventing me from moving any motions and raising issues that I, as an elected representative, believe is in the community's interest.
With the whole of Victoria watching Brimbank and the conduct of Brimbank Councillors, we need to demonstrate that we are a democratic Council making transparent and accountable decisions.
I would be very interested to know Bill Scales' view on this.
http://brimbankgreensmedia.blogspot.com/2009/06/greens-councillor-condemns-brimbank.html
6.5.09
Meeting procedure Local Law Review
Please see my comments at http://www.brimbank.greens.org.au/
'Social' not 'affordable housing' at Sunvale PS site
Officers have come back with a discussion after this matter was deferred from the last Council meeting. I am told that there was a mix up with the definition of the words ‘affordable housing’ where they really meant ‘social housing’. It should be noted though that no discussions around social housing have occurred with the Department of Human Services.
Council civic centre building
I was the only one who opposed this development at the last meeting and now some other Councillors are expressing concerns. Perhaps they are finally taking heed of the community’s protests against the civic centre - not at Errington, and not at all.
Please see my comments at http://www.brimbank.greens.org.au/
'Social' not 'affordable housing' at Sunvale PS site
Officers have come back with a discussion after this matter was deferred from the last Council meeting. I am told that there was a mix up with the definition of the words ‘affordable housing’ where they really meant ‘social housing’. It should be noted though that no discussions around social housing have occurred with the Department of Human Services.
Council civic centre building
I was the only one who opposed this development at the last meeting and now some other Councillors are expressing concerns. Perhaps they are finally taking heed of the community’s protests against the civic centre - not at Errington, and not at all.
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