Council proposes cap on pokie venues and machines in new gambling venues policy

Buller District Council (BDC) will be seeking community feedback on a proposed new Gambling Venues Policy that would introduce tighter controls on the number and location of Class 4 Gambling machines (pokies) and stand-alone TAB venues across the district.

Under the draft policy, the number of Class 4 gambling venues and machines would be capped at current levels - seven venues and 58 machines. The policy would also restrict any new venues from being located within 50 metres of community facilities or sensitive sites, such as schools.

Mayor Jamie Cleine says the draft policy aims to strike a balance between harm reduction and maintaining the community benefits that gambling revenue can bring.

“We know there are real concerns about the impacts of gambling, particularly in communities already facing social and financial hardship.
“At the same time, we recognise that Class 4 gambling also supports local groups and events through grants. This policy aims to carefully manage both sides of that equation.”

The draft policy retains the existing process, where applications for new venues or additional machines must go through council and include public consultation.

In developing the policy, council considered three options: keeping the status quo, introducing a ‘sinking lid’ (which would allow no new venues or machines), or adopting the preferred option - capping venues and machines at current numbers while adding new location restrictions and a per-venue machine limit of nine.

The draft policy is informed by earlier community engagement, a social impact assessment, and relevant legislation. The social impact assessment highlighted the district’s high levels of socioeconomic deprivation, while also recognising the benefits Class 4 gambling brings the district in the form of community grants and entertainment.

“We believe we have come to a balanced approach in the draft policy, and now we want to hear from the community before making any final decisions” continues Mayor Cleine.

Public consultation will open in October for one month. The community and stakeholders will be invited to make written submissions, with the opportunity to speak at a hearing to be held soon after submissions close. Council will make a final decision on the policy following the hearing.

Details of the consultation, including the draft policy, supporting documents and submission forms will be available on BDC’s community engagement hub Let’s talk Buller and at council’s libraries and service centres in Westport and Reefton, the Karamea Information Centre, and the Northern Buller Community Resource Centre.

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For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz

Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.