Pokies will go outdoors

Gosford Council has resolved to allow the Ettalong Beach Club to relocate up to 70 of its gaming machines to its outdoor smoking area, despite complaints of noise pollution.

It was resolved at council's November 4 meeting that all gaming machines located within the outdoor smoking enclosure "are to be softened such that they produce no electronic sounds with a sound pressure level of no more than five decibels above the background noise at the boundary of the property".

In a report to council it was stated that six submissions were received highlighting that the machines would cause an increase in noise pollution, detract from the architectural integrity of the building and cause an unacceptable visual impact on water views.

The submissions also stated that relocating the gaming machines would make it harder for persons trying to avoid or decrease gambling.

The report stated: "It is considered that with appropriate conditioning the proposed 70 gaming machines will cause no noise issues.

"Issues relating to view loss for patrons from within the club are the responsibility of the club and is not a reason that could be used to refuse this application.

"The proposal will remain substantially the same development if gaming machines are placed in the smokers' room.

"Therefore, there is no objection to the proposal."

The report also stated that the nearest residence, with the exception of units above the club, to the outdoor smoking area and the source of the original noise objection is a distance of 80 metres from the smoking area.

"Noise emanating from this distance is unlikely to be objectionable," the report stated.

"Regarding the units above the club, purchasers of those units had full knowledge of their location above a licensed club premises and any consequent noise potential.

"Notwithstanding this, with suitable conditions such as softening of machines and implementation of a noise management plan it is unlikely that objectionable noise will be an issue."

Cr Terri Latella said it was "completely unfair" that local residents would have to put up with the relocation of up to 70 gaming machines, along with the noise and disruption that would follow with it.

Cr Latella was recorded in dissent.

Woy Woy Bay resident and local campaigner Ms Margaret Lund said she questioned council's latest decision to allow the Ettalong Beach Club to relocate gaming machines outdoors.

"[It is a] questionable practice of a council which approves the use of pokie machines on the club verandah in an effort to help the club remain viable.

"This is after it had already permitted the club to build a resort, which exceeded all building heights and then allowed that club to build on its car park for similar reasons.

"Since when has it been the business of a council to prop up the business efforts of a club?

"What will be the effect of exposing gambling to youngsters playing on the beach when I thought that we were already concerned about the effects of gambling in our society?"

The Ettalong Beach Club announced its proposed $700,000 outdoor poker machine area in December last year in response to financial difficulties faced by the club.

The club claimed the State Government's poker machine tax increase and the indoor smoking ban were major contributors to the club's $28 million debt at the end of the 2006/2007 financial year.

Council agenda ENV.81, 4 Nov 2008 Email, 7 Nov 2008 Margaret Lund, Woy Woy Bay