Tower pokies

By Marc McGowan
THE $90 million Casey Towers project took another step towards fruition when Casey Council approved the installation of 60 pokie machines at the proposed venue last week.
The decision has now to be approved by the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation.
But the council’s decision has left the community divided, with some members concerned about the effect it may have on the area.
Springfield Ward councillor Michael Farley is leading the outcry.
“It’s disappointing. I was surprised that we have got so many councillors insensitive to the community,” Cr Farley said.
“I believe this is a really bad decision.
“I think it will be bad for my area, Narre Warren. I think it’s going to be devastating for some families.”
In a close outcome, the 11 councillors voted six to five in favour of the electronic gaming machine (EGM) application.
Casey Towers will be constructed on the north western corner of Princes Highway and Victor Crescent in Narre Warren.
The development will include a 700-seat function centre, three restaurants, three bars, a bistro, a café, a gymnasium, offices, shops, 146 hotel rooms and 26 serviced apartments.
Casey Anti-Gambling Group committee member Graeme Cann echoed Cr Farley’s sentiments.
“We are disappointed in the decision, given the information we put forward to the councillors about problem gambling in Narre Warren,” he said.
“You’re allowed to have about 10 machines per 1000 adults and, with our growing population, we could end up having the most EGMs in Melbourne.
“I don’t know whether we want to be known as the gambling capital of Victoria but I can see that happening if we don’t start capping them.”
The benefits of the complex clearly outweigh the negatives, according to Springfield Ward councillor Lorraine Wreford.
“You have to take the big picture approach. Because of the hotel component of the project, it will attract a lot of national and international visitors to our area,” Cr Wreford said.
“They’re not looking at feeding off the local community.
“It will bring people to our community and it is my belief that a lot of its business will be from outside of the community.”
Casey Towers project manager Rick Grounds is delighted with the result and believes the criticism is unwarranted.
“We certainly understand people are concerned about the issue of problem gambling and if we were building just an everyday suburban pub, we would understand why they objected to Casey Towers,” he said.
“We think they’ve picked the wrong target because Casey Towers is very different from a traditional pub and gaming will be a very small component of the whole complex.”
Mr Grounds expects construction to begin in the second half of the year and has touted January 2010 as the estimated completion date.