Chelsea – Mordialloc
Features inside
PUBLISHED WEEKLY
FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT
PAGES 17–19 CLASSIFIEDS
PAGES 22–23 SPORTS DESK
PAGES 26–27
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Wednesday 16 October 2013
MPNEWS (1300 676 397) or email: team@mpnews.com.au www.mpnews.com.au
Crew mates:
Carrum Coast Guard members Ron Borrett (left) and Gerry Anneveldt out on patrol at Patterson River ahead of summer boating season. See page 5. Picture: Gary Sissons
Game on for rate battle
By Neil Walker KINGSTON may join a multi-council campaign to lobby the state government to change recently enacted guidelines that prohibit levying higher rates on gaming venues. Councillors Rosemary West and David Eden proposed Kingston council work with other Melbourne councils
to push for the right to impose higher rates on land used for gambling venues. “Gambling causes significant financial and personal burdens for the City of Kingston, particularly for problem gamblers,” Cr West said at the most recent council meeting. “It really is undemocratic that councils can’t impose an extra rate burden
on gambling venues.” Cr West noted rates had been increased for landfill operators to discourage their prevalence in the municipality and said this option should be available to council for gaming venues. Cr Eden told the meeting it was unfortunate that the state government haddecided to restrict councils’ ability to levy
a differential rate on gaming venues. “It is a step back in dealing with social issues and it makes it very difficult for councils to try to deal with the negative effects of gaming. There are costs to council services due to problem gambling,” Cr Eden said. The proposal to charge higher rates for gaming venues comes as Kingston
council considers updating its policy aimed at addressing problem gambling and pokies (‘Pokies back in spotlight’, The News, 11/9/13). A recently released report on the social and economic cost of problem gambling found gambling addiction could cost the state of Victoria up to $2.8 billion a year. Continued Page 9
MORNINGTON PENINSULA
Home Show THIS WEEKEND! Sat 19th & Sun 20th Oct
Meet Keith from
“THE BLOCK” Appearing Saturday 11-2pm
Home Innovations | Peninsula Homemaker Centre 1128 Nepean Hwy Mornington | www.hidc.com.au