HOBSONS Bay has no immediate plans to lift rates on poker machine venues in the wake of the Manningham Council decision to double rates on seven venues, generating $112,000 in extra revenue.
Hobsons Bay’s planning and environment director, Peter Gaschk, said the council was in the early stages of reviewing its gaming policy statement.
“The current statement does not consider a rating change for pokies venues,” he said.
“Any future consideration would be determined by the council.
“Some clubs in Hobsons Bay are already on a commercial rate, which is currently 2.6 times the residential rate.
“The council received $162,885 in rates revenue in the last financial year from properties that house poker machines and rent from two clubs of $60,808 plus GST.”
In Hobsons Bay, five privately run hotels or clubs pay commercial rates. Three community sporting clubs are classified as recreation venues and receive a 65percent rates discount, while two RSL clubs are exempt from paying rates.
Manningham Council is proposing to introduce a differential rates scheme, which would result in extra money from rate rises at pokies venues going towards problem gambling research and programs.
Councillors voted in favour of introducing the scheme in the 2012-13 budget.
In 2010, Moreland Council doubled the rates of 11 pokies venues.
