Romsey Football Netball Club Inc has applied for 50 gaming machines at the former Romsey Hotel.
An application to the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission details a $10 million pub renovation and extension including café/bistro/lounge, function room, gaming lounge (open 10am-1am) and sports bar.
A public notice was published in a daily Melbourne-based newspaper last week and has sparked debate on local social media pages.
The commission cannot approve an application unless it is satisfied that: the premises are, or on completion of building works will be, suitable for the management and operation of gaming machines.
It must also be satisfied that the net commercial and economic impact of the proposal will not be detrimental to the community of the municipal district.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council scrambled to call an urgent business item at its ordinary meeting last week to action a submission within the tight timeframes.
MRSC’s submission will detail social and economic impact for the town and the shire.
Councillors emphasised that the move was “not to make a decision whether the council was for or against the application”.
Plans state the hotel owner and Romsey Football Netball Club have formed a collaborative arrangement through a two-year management agreement with option to extend.
They say the aim of the partnership “focuses on knowledge transfer and operational guidance, aspiring for the club’s eventual independent management of the hotel”.
Profits but risk
The proposal describes the benefits of the approval as: access to responsible gaming; redevelopment and reopening of the pub, decreased travel time to alternative facilities; increase in visitors to Romsey; employment of 46 (FTE) staff; and significant community contributions.
Impacts on problem gaming are also detailed including the prime corner location of the hotel, socio-economic profile of the community, access to gaming, venue design and responsible gaming procedures.
The application states, “It is considered the benefits of this application in a social and economic sense will at least meet, or more likely exceed the dis-benefits.”
Estimated gross gaming machine revenue at the hotel within the first year is between $2.3 million and $2.8 million.
According to the application, profits from the hotel will be allocated with the venue operator receiving the first $200,000 and 30 per cent of the remaining profits.
Remaining profits will be distributed by a committee, which will invite submissions from the community twice a year.
In February, the Romsey Football Netball Club first announced a proposal to renovate and run the hotel with profits returned to the community by leasing the 90 Main Street site.
The club was responding to an overwhelming feedback from the Romsey community for the pub to reopen since it had closed in 2017.
A fresh bid for pokies in the town has conjured thoughts of the 2004 proposal that was eventually heard at the Supreme Court.
More than 15 years have passed since Romsey community sentiment on gaming machines was last officially captured.
Since then, the town’s population has changed and grown.
Gaming application past
Then, Romsey Hotel applied for 50 gaming machines, later reduced to 30, and was rejected at council level following substantial community opposition.
The VGCCC also refused the Romsey Hotel’s application two years later but in 2007 the hotel owner appealed the decision at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
VCAT overturned the commission’s decision and approved the machines, determining any negative effects would be outweighed by the positive economic benefits to the area.
The tribunal’s decision did not take into account the community objections that had been presented to the commission.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council appealed the tribunal’s decision in the Supreme Court where it was ruled the tribunal was in error approving the application.
The matter was reheard at VCAT and the application rejected in 2009.
Not only is supreme court action rare, the Romsey Hotel case set the precedent for similar future hearings and continues to be a major point of reference today.
While the latest application shares some similarities, one distinct difference is the type of applicant and how profits will be distributed.
The Express contacted the club about the application and understands that at this time the club is awaiting response to the application before it will decide further actions or make public comment about this stage.
Submissions open
The public can make submissions to the commission through the VGCCC website: apps.vgccc.vic.gov.au and can request to participate in a hearing.
A VGCCC spokesperson said the length of the process varies and it is likely to be more than four months before a decision is made.
The matter is expected to be heard at Richmond at a date still to be announced.
More details to come.
