The City of Greater Bendigo’s special meeting will also decide who will build a multi-storey car park in Edward Street.

“We are doing that so that we can get our views on the impact of the extra poker machines into the gaming authority so that they can understand where we are coming from and why,” mayor Rod Fyffe said.

“And we took the opportunity to also consider the tenders for the car park.”

Bendigo Stadium officials hope to build a $9 million arena with money from 30 additional poker machines.

The stadium would have 105 poker machines if authorities approve the new application.

Bendigo Baptist Community Care’s Matthew Parkinson yesterday called on the council to make a stand against the proposal.

“Every month in Bendigo $3.7 million is lost to pokie machines,” he said.

“It’s time to ask our local councillors to vote against the introduction of more pokie machines to Bendigo.

“Research tells us that it is those who can least afford it that are the most affected.”

The council will prepare a report for the Victorian Commission for Gaming Regulation based on the outcome of the meeting.

Councillor Fyffe said he was yet to form a view on the poker machine issue.

“I’ll consider that on Monday at the special meeting of council,” he said.

The special meeting is at the Bendigo Town Hall from 5pm.