By NOEL MURPHY
TORQUAY Hotel management has played a dead bat to Surf Coast Shire council opposing the pub’s bid for more pokies.
Council last week went against its own policy and legal and independent advice to vote against the hotel’s push for 15 extra machines, which would take its total to 30 if successful.
Council will protest the hotel’s application to Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulations, which will rule on the pokies bid.
Hotel licensee Andrew Routley said the application was “in line with state and local government policies”.
“And, as per (council’s) officer report and recommendations, our application complies with Surf Coast Shire’s gaming policies.
“We will continue to follow the matter in due course.’’
Surf Coast deputy mayor Rod Knockles last week described the council’s formal opposition to the Torquay pub pokies as “illogical’’.
The extra machine would have generated $25,000 a year for problem-gambling agencies, he said.
A shire officer analysis and consultant advice said the extra machines would be “consistent with council policy on gaming”
But Mayor Libby Coker said council wanted “to make a stronger statement” to the commission.
