The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) annual conference in Cairns this week adopted a Toowoomba Regional Council resolution calling on the State Government to review approval procedure for gaming machines.
Mayor Peter Taylor said the new LGAQ policy, if accepted by the State Government, would give local government and their communities greater input into the review of applications for licensing of gaming machines in their area.
The new policy also supported the government’s moratorium on the release of any additional gaming machines in Queensland.
“Local government now has a united and clear policy stance when making representations to the state government and also should have greater input into decision making,” he said. “We have been concerned its views regarding decisions about licensing of gaming machines were not being heard.
“Previously there was little time to collect detailed information requested by the Gaming Commission submissions. If adopted by the State Government, this step would ensure information covering community concerns would be reviewed by the Gaming Commission.”
In April, Premier Anna Bligh announced a moratorium on the release of new gaming machines to hotels and clubs. This will not prevent new applications being approved, but will limit the release of new machines to the government’s allocated cap.
Applications for new gaming licenses and increases to existing licenses will be considered by the Gaming Commission while the moratorium is in place. Any approved machines would need to be sourced from the existing supply of machines in the same region.
Since March, Toowoomba Regional Council has been asked to comment on one application for gaming machines. A developer lodged an application for 20 gaming machines at a proposed tavern at Hampton. Council advised the Gaming Commission it did not oppose issuing a licence for gaming machines
but recommended no more than 14 gaming machines be approved and that gaming hours should be aligned with liquor licensing hours. The review is before the Queensland Gaming Commission.
Toowoomba and Darling Downs political and social commentary. Print copies of this newsletter may be ordered from Toowoomba's Office Works, phone 4699-5300
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Hugh Bingham
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About Hugh Bingham
Bingham is a career journalist with experience in State and Federal politics. He has been Editor of the Sunday Truth, the Sydney Sunday Mirror, Associate Editor of the Sydney Daily Mirror, and has reported overseas for The Australian.
In retirement he turned farmer in the Felton Valley, near Toowoomba, breeding Appaloosas and winning best foal and filly at the 1992 State championships.
Now 80, Bingham takes a keen interest in current affairs, especially politics and social issues. Bingham has tutored U3A groups as diverse as poetry, memoir writing, and classical music.
In retirement he turned farmer in the Felton Valley, near Toowoomba, breeding Appaloosas and winning best foal and filly at the 1992 State championships.
Now 80, Bingham takes a keen interest in current affairs, especially politics and social issues. Bingham has tutored U3A groups as diverse as poetry, memoir writing, and classical music.
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