Noosa Council will investigate a policy on electronic gaming machines on council-owned or trustee land after councillors voted unanimously in favour of a motion to do so put forward by Cr Amelia Lorentson at its ordinary meeting last week.
The motion acknowledges the regulation of gaming machines rests with the state government but that other Queensland councils have adopted policies to guide decisions on gaming machines on council-owned or controlled land with the objective to reduce social harm and supporting community wellbeing.
“In 2018 Noosa Council joined the Alliance for Gambling Reform and supported stronger local control over poker machine approvals,” Cr Lorentson said.
“In 2021 council withdrew its membership and currently no formal policy exists to guide decisions regarding electronic gaming machines on council-owned or trustee land.”
Cr Lorentson called for council to explore including a policy position on gaming machines into its Community Purpose Land and Infrastructure Tenure Policy currently under review to guide decisions on installation, expansion or location of gaming machines on council-owned or trustee land and consider reinstating membership with the Alliance for Gambling Reform.
“Queenslanders lost $5.1 billion to gambling in the year 2022-23. Pokies alone accounted for $3.2 billion of that representing 63 per cent,” she said.
“On the Sunshine Coast loses reached in 2022-23, $231 million with more than 3400 machines in operation. Nationally Australia has the highest family losses per capita in the world, about 15 per cent of adults hold some sort of gambling related harm from financial stress to family breakdowns and mental health issues.
“In Noosa in one month in July in 2024 pokie losses were just over $2,660,000, understanding we have a population of approximately 57,000 people. Poker machines in Noosa total 501.”
Cr Lorentson said looking at the data it became clear people spent more on gaming machines during economic situations such as the current cost of living crisis.
Cr Brian Stockwell said with data showing the social harm resulting from gaming machines use council had responsibilities as a landowner.
He said council had in the past put conditions on leases without policy backing having gaming machines, and with a policy that could be consistently applied across all council’s lease areas and it makes good sense.
The allocation of resources to work on the policy are to be considered during the 2026 budget process.
