News Alert |

The community is invited to have its say on the draft Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy and Action Plan Framework, after it was approved at Council on Wednesday night.

The draft Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy and Action Plan Framework will go online at mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au for public exhibition on Friday 23 August for a four-week period.

There are also three opportunities where the community can speak with a City of Ballarat officer to provide feedback: - Friday 6 September, 1–3pm, Consultation@16 Bridge, 16 Bridge Mall - Monday 9 September, 5–7pm, Lucas Community Hub, 160 Eleanor Drive, Lucas - Thursday 12 September, 10am–12pm, Sebastopol Library, 181 Albert Street, Sebastopol

The policy update replaces the Gaming Machine Community Policy, developed in 2011.

The draft Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy has a ‘whole of Council’ approach to preventing and minimising gambling-related harm in the community.

Local government has legislative requirements to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of the community, and this includes seeking to protect communities from the risks and harms associated with gambling. 

The draft Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy and Action Plan Framework will support and strengthen Council’s advocacy actions, including in preparing submissions and when attending hearings at the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR). It also identifies priorities around community partnerships and the City of Ballarat’s strategic and regularity roles.

The key aims of the policy are to: - Demonstrate Council’s commitment to protecting those most at risk of gambling related harms through its various statutory roles and responsibilities - Effectively respond to emerging gambling patterns, behaviours and impacts - Strengthen Council’s capacity to effectively guide the location and operation of electronic gaming machines (EGM’s) by providing the framework for the review of the Ballarat Planning Scheme, and to - Work collaboratively with partners and the community to reduce gambling related harm using a public health approach.

The policy update was informed by a review of evidence and research related to gambling harm, the identification of trends and best practice examples of local government policy in this area, and a survey of community attitudes to gambling, conducted between 1 May and 9 June, 2019.