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                    Amendment C307: Gaming Policy (now Amendment C366)

                    A person using a gaming machine.
                    Amendment C307 (now Amendment C366) introduces revised policy to ensure that electronic gaming machines are suitably located and operated to minimise gaming related harm.
                     
                    Amendment C366 was submitted to the Minister for Planning for approval on 30 August 2019.

                    About the amendment 

                    The City of Melbourne is reviewing its gaming policy, strengthening the criteria for the installation of new electronic gaming machines.

                    Amendment C307 proposes to implement the outcomes of a review of the City of Melbourne’s gaming policy in the Melbourne Planning Scheme, by strengthening the policy to ensure that electronic gaming machines are suitably located and operated as part of the range of entertainment in the City, while ensuring that any social and economic impacts are also assessed,

                    It will make the following changes to the Planning Scheme:

                    • Amend Clause 21.10-6 Cultural/Arts and Entertainment Facilities, to strengthen policy to ensure that electronic gaming machines operate as part of the overall range of entertainment activities in the municipality.
                    • Amend Clause 21.12 Hoddle Grid, to strengthen policy to reduce the concentration of electronic gaming machines in the Hoddle Grid where they contribute to convenience gaming.
                    • Amend Clause 22.12 to introduce a revised policy which enables a more comprehensive assessment of the social and economic impacts of gaming, and assists in guiding the appropriate location and operation of gaming venues.
                    • Amend the Schedule to Clause 52.28 Gaming, to update the list of shopping complexes where the installation or use of a gaming machine is prohibited.

                    Amendment C307 is supported by the reference documents; ‘City of Melbourne Electronic Gaming Machine Decision-Making Framework, 2017’, and ‘City of Melbourne Electronic Gaming Machine Review Background Report, 2017’.

                    Amendment documents and relevant information can be found on Participate Melbourne.

                    Current status

                    Awaiting a decision from the Minister for Planning

                    The Gaming Planning Provisions Committee has considered Amendment C307 following a loss of quorum at the Council meeting. 

                    Following on from the receipt of the Planning Panel report, officers prepared a report with an assessment of the Panel’s recommendations and a recommendation that Council adopt the Amendment with changes. This was included in a report to the Council, which was to be presented on 30 July 2019. However, at the meeting of the Council, quorum was lost, and the Council was unable to consider the officers recommendation. 

                    The Gaming Planning Provisions Committee was then established and met on August 6 to consider the Amendment. 

                    The Gaming Planning Provisions Committee noted that:

                    • Council was unable to adopt Melbourne Planning Scheme C307 (the Amendment) on 30 July 2019 due to a loss of quorum.
                    • The Amendment cannot be adopted under delegation due to restrictions in section 188(2) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

                    The Committee resolved (Word, 78KB) to: 

                    • Refer Amendment C307 to the Minister for Planning. 
                    • Request the Minister for Planning prepare and approve a new amendment to the Melbourne Planning Scheme under Section 20(4) of the Act, in the same form as Amendment C307 on the basis that the Amendment has already been the subject of the statutory exhibition, consultation and a panel process under the Act. 
                    • Endorse the City of Melbourne Electronic Gaming Machine Decision Making Framework exhibited as part of the Amendment as a Council policy.

                    In line with this resolution, in August 2019, the City of Melbourne requested that the Minister for Planning prepare and approve Planning Scheme Amendment C366 Gaming Policy under the provisions of Section 20(4) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987. This Amendment is the same as would have been considered by Council on 30 July had quorum not been lost.

                    Next steps

                    In August 2019, the City of Melbourne requested that the Minister for Planning prepare and approve Planning Scheme Amendment C366 Gaming Policy under the provisions of Section 20(4) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

                    This Amendment is the same as would have been considered by Council on 30 July had quorum not been lost for Amendment C307. Council is awaiting a decision from the Minister for Planning on approval (or otherwise) of the Amendment.

                    For more information, please refer to Participate Melbourne.
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