Regulatory Subcommittee
REVIEW OF GAMBLING AND TAB VENUE POLICY
MINUTES
Minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Regulatory Subcommittee held in the Edinburgh Room, Municipal Chambers, The Octagon, Dunedin on Friday 26 March 2021, commencing at 9.00 am
PRESENT
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Chairperson |
Cr Christine Garey |
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Members |
Cr Marie Laufiso |
Cr Jules Radich |
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IN ATTENDANCE |
Simon Pickford (General Manager Community Services), Kevin Mechen (Secretary, District Licensing Committee) and Anne Gray (Policy Analyst) |
Governance Support Officer Lynne Adamson
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Moved (Cr Christine Garey/Cr Marie Laufiso): That the Subcommittee:
Confirms the agenda without addition or alteration.
Motion carried
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Members were reminded of the need to stand aside from decision-making when a conflict arose between their role as an elected representative and any private or other external interest they might have.
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The speaking schedule was noted. |
SUBMISSIONS
The people who had indicated they wished to be heard in support of their submissions presented to the Subcommittee.
Bronwyn Powell-Grub and Emma Hunter, Salvation Army Oasis
Bronwyn Powell-Grub and Emma Hunter spoke in support of the Salvation Army Oasis submission to retain the sinking lid approach to ‘pokie’ machines. They commented on the seriousness of gambling related harm and the impact on the wider whanau of financial problems, family violence and in some cases, suicide. Ms Powell-Grub and Ms Hunter then responded to questions.
Jo-Anne Grimwood on behalf of David Pirie, Public Health South, Southern District Health Board
Jo-Anne Grimwood attended via zoom to speak on the Public Health South submission on behalf of David Pirie and thanked Council for the approach taken with the sinking lid policy. Ms Grimwood responded to questions.
Cameron Burrow, St Clair Surf Life Saving Club
Cameron Burrow advised that he was Chairman of the St Clair Surf Lifesaving Club and the Chair of the Local Lifesaving Operations Committee. He spoke of how Surf Lifesaving clubs in the Otago area relied on the proceeds of class 4 gaming to enable members to provide a service to the community and save lives. He commented that the service was on call 24/7 responding to people who need help.
Mr Burrow acknowledged the impacts of class 4 gaming on some sections of the community, but strongly believed that removing the gaming machines would not solve the problems. He urged members to consider the impact on community clubs and organisations when making the decision. Mr Burrow responded to questions.
Cameron Burrow, Dunedin Rugby Football Club
Cameron Burrow advised that he was the Chairman of the Dunedin Rugby Club. He stated that the club heavily relied on the proceeds received from class 4 gaming to provide a platform for people to participate in organised sport and live a healthy lifestyle. Mr Burrow noted that the club received 24% of its revenue from the funding in 2020 and 37% in 2019.
Mr Burrow encouraged members to remember the community and social impact
Moved (Cr Christine Garey/Cr Marie Laufiso):
That the Subcommittee:
Adjourns the meeting.
Motion carried
The meeting adjourned at 10.00 am and reconvened at 10.09 am.
Jarrod True, Gambling Machine Association New Zealand
Jarrod True spoke to his PowerPoint presentation in support of his submission on behalf of the Gambling Machine Association, New Zealand. Mr True provided information on the distribution of funds and spoke of harm prevention and face recognition technology. He responded to questions and commented on the balance of harm prevention and the good that comes from the funding e.g. camps; schools and sporting support.
Brent Wolf, St Clair Surf Life Saving Club
Brent Wolf spoke of the reliance the St Clair Surf Life Saving Club had on funding received from gaming machines. He spoke of the work, events and activities undertaken by volunteers which were self funded.
Mr Wolf commented that in the last financial year, the surf club had received $25,000 funding and questioned where the funding would come from should the sinking lid policy continue and spoke of the lack government funding available to South Island surf clubs.
Moved (Cr Christine Garey/Cr Marie Laufiso):
That the Subcommittee:
Adjourns the meeting and reconvenes at 10.50 am.
Motion carried
The meeting adjourned at 10.36 am and reconvened at 10.50 am.
Sarah Campagnolo, PGF Services
Sarah Campagnolo spoke on behalf of PGF Services in support of their submission. She commented that while the amount of ‘pokie’ machines had decreased by 25% since 2019, the gambling spend had increased slightly. She commented that the sinking lid approach was slow but effective and that while most other mental health and addiction issues had increased, the rate of gambling addiction had remained constant.
Ms Campagnolo responded to questions and commented in support of retaining the sinking lid policy.
John Brimble, Sport Otago
John Brimble spoke in support of the cap policy and commented that the funding proceeds to sport alone was $2.2m which provided much needed support to sporting clubs and that the continued reduction of machines was the single biggest threat to sport. Mr Brimble advised that businesses had suffered through COVID which in term meant there was less support to clubs.
Mr Brimble responded to questions.
Paul Allison and Sam Alexander, Lion Foundation
Paul Allison and Sam Alexander spoke in support of the submission from the Lion Foundation and commented on the applications received across the sector from community organisations which made a critical difference to the success and survival of the organisations. They commented on major funding provided to Dunedin city, both sporting organisations and community facilities such as Chat Bus and Riding for the Disabled.
Mr Allison and Ms Alexander advocated for the cap policy and retention of the relocation policy. They then responded to questions.
Tanya Piejus, New Zealand Community Trust
Tanya Piejus spoke to her PowerPoint presentation on behalf of the New Zealand Community Trust. She commented that they would like the sinking lid policy replaced with the capped policy and responded to questions.
Moved (Cr Christine Garey/Cr Jules Radich):
That the Subcommittee:
Adjourns the meeting until 12.45 pm.
Motion carried
The meeting adjourned at 11.54 pm and reconvened at 12.48 pm.
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Moved (Cr Christine Garey/Cr Marie Laufiso): That the Subcommittee:
a) Recommends that Council retain the existing Gambling and TAB Venue policy which has a sinking lid approach to the number of venues and gambling machines in Dunedin with the deletion of section 1.2.3 and the following amendment to Section 1.2.4 to read: Council may permit the relocation of existing class 4 venues where the premises cannot continue to operate at that site. Examples of such circumstances include the following: 1.2.4.1 Fire 1.2.4.2 Natural disaster
Division The Subcommittee voted by division:
For: Crs Christine Garey and Marie Laufiso (2). Against: Cr Jules Radich (1). Abstained: Nil
The division was declared CARRIED by 2 votes to 1
Motion carried (RSCCC/2021/001) |
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The Subcommittee discussed the impact to organisations/clubs reliant on funding from gaming machines and agreed that Central Government should provide a more sustainable model of funding to replace the reliance on gambling proceeds.
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Moved (Cr Christine Garey/Cr Marie Laufiso): That the Subcommittee: b) Recommends that Council lobby Central Government through LGNZ to establish a more sustainable model of funding for community organisations to replace the reliance on gambling proceeds . Motion carried (RSCCC/2021/002) |
The Subcommittee recorded their thanks to staff for their work and acknowledged and thanked all submitters for their submissions and presentations.
The meeting concluded at 1.52 pm.
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CHAIRPERSON