Juc pub to ‘alter plan’

Erin Pearson
JAN Juc’s Beach Hotel is drawing up new plans after a hearing before the state’s gambling regulator, according to an anti-pokies campaigner.
Don’t Poke Jan Juc’s Jeremy Ham said the hotel would push ahead with its application for 30 gaming machines but would cut other components oFf its multi-million-dollar upgrade proposal.
“The hotel has said they will delete the motel units and one function room, which they proposed alongside the 30 pokies, car parking and second function room,” Mr Ham said.
“They said their original plan wasn’t lodged as a firm plan and they were willing to change it.”
Mr Ham said Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation had adjourned the hearing until mid-August so Surf Coast Shire could gauge residents’ concerns.
He said he was concerned about council’s “lack of cooperation” with the hearing.
“We’re supposed to be on the same page but the council didn’t even tell us the hearing was on,” he said.
Mr Ham believed the commission had contacted senior shire staff about the hearing but they had failed to tell councillors when it would commence.
“A friend of mine called me a few days before after discovering the date on the VCGR website,” he said.
Mr Ham revealed the commission had told the shire to survey residents on the pokies proposal.
He urged council to be “firm with its commitment” given councillors’ unanimous vote against the hotel upgrade earlier this year.
Don’t Poke Jan Juc would also gather a petition, Mr Ham said.
His facebook group against the hotel plan had 839 members.
“Jan Juc is a small village that doesn’t have large-scale commercial development. It’s defined by the fact people kick-up a stink about footpaths, stormwater run-off and pokies,” Mr Ham said.
“That’s why we live here.”
Beach Hotel co-owner Rowan Pertzel said he could not comment until the hearing was complete.
Surf Coast Shire refused to comment.