CASTLEMAINE residents will be able to hear what the Maryborough Highland Society has planned for an unused goods shed near the Castlemaine Railway Station.
A forum will be held tomorrow night to get feedback from the community ahead of a submission to Mount Alexander Shire.
Maryborough Highland Society general manager Don Hester said the application was still being prepared for the council, which may include a space for poker machines. “We’re hoping to have the application done very soon. There have been things that have delayed it but we’re fairly close,” he said.
Mr Hester said there had been considerable interest in the plans for the club and encouraged residents to attend. Last year a community group called EPIC, Enough Pokies in Castlemaine, was formed. EPIC convener Prue Cole said her group was against the introduction of more poker machines on the basis of the economic and social welfare hardship they cause.
“There is strong evidence that poker machines are not job creators but in fact would diminish local employment opportunities,” she said.
“The existing pokies venue in the Cumberland Hotel took $3.5 million from the community last financial year and it is estimated the additional proposed pokies venture would increase that to $8 million per annum.”
The forum is at the Castlemaine Town Hall tomorrow night from 7pm.
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