Gambling Submissions
Council endorsed submissions to the Review of the Responsible Gambling Mandatory Code of Practice and the Gaming Control (Community Support Fund) Regulations 2022. The Code applies to Prescribed License Holders under the Gaming Control Act 1993.
Council is calling for a ban on advertising and inducements in its submission, noting the Stenning report identified that the new operating model providing individual licenses to venue operators is likely to lead to increased competition between venues and advertising, inducements and player loyalty programs may all be used to lure players to venues.
Council’s submission also urges the Government to also review training provided to venue staff in recognising people with gambling problems. The submission also refers to terminology, noting referring to ‘problem gamblers’ effectively demonises and stigmatizes people, rather than the products that cause harm. The submission calls for research into this and consideration of changing the messaging.
The Gaming Control (Community Support Fund) Regulations 2022 will see the Community Support Levy (CSL)replaced with the CSF in July 2023. The CSL will include a levy on profits from EGMs in casinos, as well as pubs and clubs, from 1 July.
The proposal is that CSF funds can be allocated for one of four purposes, including ‘community capacity building and community development projects, programs and initiatives.’ In its submission, Council is signalling concern about how funds in this particular category are allocated and calling for all of the new revenue from the casino levy to be allocated to harm prevention and research activities related to gambling.
In September 2020, Council adopted a Statement of Commitment on Gambling (Attachment 1). The Commitment provides an overview of Council’s position on gambling (specifically electronic gaming machines) and lists three action areas.
The submissions both fall under Council’s Statement of Commitment on Gambling, in particular action area two: “Council will partner with organisations and/or service providers to advocate for increased harm minimisation and consumer protection measures, including reducing hours of operation, reducing the maximum bet to $1 and greater targeting of social programs for the community.”
Greater Hobart Plan
Council provided unanimous support for the draft Greater Hobart Plan (the Plan), which has been out for public consultation over the past six weeks.
The Greater Hobart Committee, consisting of the Ministers responsible for Economic Development, Infrastructure and Transport, Housing, and Community Development; the Lord Mayor and the Mayors of Clarence, Glenorchy and Kingborough, developed the draft Plan to provide a detailed strategic approach to residential development, infrastructure and economic development for inner metropolitan Hobart over the next 30 years.
The plan forecasts an additional 60,000 people and 30,000 dwellings in greater Hobart by 2050, including 16,500 and 8,200 in the City of Glenorchy (27 per cent of the growth). The Plan identifies areas for both infill and greenfield development but proposes that additional housing will be primarily delivered through infill development. The most growth is expected to occur along the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor, with 6,130 new dwellings anticipated between New Town and Montrose.
An Implementation Plan is now being developed with input from all four Councils, with the project demonstrating a coordinated planning approach and good will between the State Government and Councils through the Greater Hobart Committee.
Council Policies
Council endorsed a new Footpath Trading Policy providing regulations and a permit process for outdoor dining on footpaths and also for parklets, recognising the vibrancy outdoor dining brings to CBD areas. The policy also provides guidelines for A-Frame signage on footpaths.
Council also endorsed a Mobile Food Business Policy providing for mobile food vans on Council owned land. Some pre-approved locations have been identified, and the General Manager has been authorised to approve food van locations connected to the policy given they are subject to change and may require Planning Permits.
A new Nature Strip Policy was also endorsed, which will enable Glenorchy residents to landscape their nature strips. The policy what activities can be undertaken with and without a permit and provides a guide to preferred plants for nature strips.
A new Retaining Wall Policy was also endorsed and the Advertising Devices on Council Property Policy was updated. All of these policies will be available on Council’s website from this weekend.
Homelessness
Council also received a motion without notice from Ald Kelly Sims in regard to Consideration of Housing and Homelessness Issues within the city. The motion was held over for consideration to the next Council meeting in July.