The Fyansford Hotel in Geelong is in the process of applying to operates pokies and complete a $1 million overhaul of the property. This is an important issue for the City of Geelong, and it will take the local council lthe better part of the week to come to a decision. The proposal requests the installation of 40 new pokies at the Fyansford Hotel. The income generated by the new pokies would help to fund the renovation of the property.
The venue would add 250-seat bistro, four-star accommodation, a playground, a deck and a sports bar. The original application was issued by PJ Cook Investments, a local pokies operator, and it was refused by the Greater City of Geelong. Now, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal will weigh on the issue. A three-day hearing was held by the VCAT this week, and a decision will be made at a later date.
It seems to be a difficult decision, because officials are taking their time to decide how to proceed with the hotel’s application. The VCAT’s most recent gambling case saw Bendigo residents fighting against the addition to new pokies to the local stadium. After weeks of deliberating, the tribunal decided in favour of the stadium, which has recently installed 30 new pokies.
This is one of many pokie-related disputes that the VCAT has had a say in over the course of the past year, and the city of Geelong is eager to hear its decision. This is also one of many disputes that PJ Cook Investments has been involved in this year. It has won two of three cases, so the company has a good track record. This may not fare well for the Greater City of Geelong, which is opposed to new pokies.