UPDATE: Wodonga Council has just announced a pivotal decision regarding the contentious application for poker machines at the Huon Hill Hotel. During a heated meeting on August 25, 2023, council members voted not to submit an objection to the proposed installation of 70 electronic gaming machines, marking a significant shift from their previous stance.
The council’s decision comes after a 3-2 vote against a motion introduced by Councillor Cassie Aldridge to formally oppose the application to the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC). This latest development raises urgent concerns among local residents and advocates, particularly given that more than $100 million has been lost by Albury-Wodonga residents to poker machines in the past year alone.
Councillor Aldridge highlighted the harsh realities of gambling addiction during the council meeting, stating, “That is money stripped away from families, from local small businesses and from our broader community.” She emphasized that these machines are designed to be addictive, exploiting vulnerable individuals.
In contrast, Councillor Olga Quilty argued that banning gambling machines does not address addiction and should not be viewed as a solution. She invoked a personal anecdote about her own “addiction” to rye bread, suggesting that individuals should be free to make their own choices regarding gambling. “If this becomes a problem… it will not be the bread that’s at fault,” she remarked.
The debate has drawn significant public interest, with over 200 signatures on a petition opposing the poker machines. Councillor Libby Hall voiced her concerns about the decision, stating that while she personally dislikes poker machines, individuals should have the freedom to choose. “You can actually gamble online… they’re not monitored by anyone,” she noted, suggesting that banning local machines may not be effective.
Councillor Josh Knight added, “I think councils and local governments need to really focus a little bit closer to home on this one,” implying that the VGCCC should have the final say on the matter.
Deputy Mayor Michelle Cowan, who supported Aldridge’s motion, pointed out the potential economic impact of the decision. “For every $1 diverted from household spending into electronic gaming machines, an additional 53 cents is lost from our economy,” she stated. Cowan emphasized that if the machines are approved, Wodonga could face a contraction of $3.1 million in its economy and a loss of nine full-time jobs.
As the council meeting adjourned momentarily, Chief Executive Matthew Hyde indicated that no official decision had been recorded and suggested that the council could revisit the issue in the future. “We’ll be moving on as though the matter is dealt with unless any other further information comes up,” Cowan said.
This latest decision reverses the council’s previous vote on June 23, 2023, where they had submitted an objection against a similar proposal for 75 machines from JDA Hotels, which was later withdrawn. The council’s shifting stance reflects the ongoing tension around gambling in the community, particularly as a by-election looms in the Lake Hume ward following the resignation of former Councillor Hannah Seymour.
As the situation develops, residents and local stakeholders are urged to stay engaged and voice their opinions directly to the VGCCC. The final decision on the Huon Hill Hotel’s application remains pending, with a hearing date yet to be confirmed.
