Mount Alexander Shire Council brought the matter to VCAT to challenge the state’s gaming regulator’s approval of a licence for the Maryborough Highland Society to install 65 new poker machines in Castlemaine.

Local anti-poker machine group Enough Pokies in Castlemaine (EPIC) applied to join the council and will have a seat at the table over the course of the hearing.

High-profile lawyers Maurice Blackburn will represent the lobby group. EPIC spokesman David Stretch said it was early days, but the group was confident coming out of the first day.

Mr Stretch said they looked forward to leading evidence over coming days and representing the views of “the majority of local residents”.

Maryborough Highland Society general manager Malcolm Blandthorn said the development, if approved, had the potential to benefit the Castlemaine community. “We are big believers that the gaming dollars spent should go back into the community rather than a gaming enterprise’s pocket,” he said.

Mr Blandthorn said following a tenure period, the venture would become property of the Castlemaine Sports Club.

“There will be a cost recovery for the Highland Society, who deserve to see a small return on their investment,” he said. Mr Stretch said two community surveys showed an overwhelming number of shire residents were against the development, receiving more than 800 written objections.

“It’s a good thing that we have local residents so passionate about the town in which they live and its future,” he said.

Mr Stretch said he hoped the EPIC case would set a precedent for other community groups to fight poker machine developments across the state.