Gambling Reform Mandatory Pre-Commitment Scheme
Quotes to be attributed to Brimbank Mayor Cr Bruce Lancashire:
“In line with the New South Wales and Tasmanian governments, Brimbank Council is calling on the Victorian State Government for a bi-partisan approach to introducing new evidence-based gambling harm minimisation measures to protect our vulnerable communities.
“These gambling reforms include a pre-commitment system and cashless cards that limit the amount of money that can be gambled over a set period of time and reduce the risk of high gambling losses and money laundering.”
Quote to be attributed to Cr Virginia Tachos:
“Council has been consistently calling on the State Government to introduce harm-reduction strategies for gambling and I remain very concerned about the impact of gambling on the Brimbank community.”
Background
Brimbank has consistently attracted the highest losses from electronic gaming machines of any Victorian local government area. Over the last decade (July 2012 to July 2022) over $1.29 billion has been lost on electronic gaming machines (EGMs) in Brimbank. In 2021-22 alone, a total of $128,396,442 was lost in Brimbank, despite the mandatory closure of venues due to COVID-19 during part of the year.
A well-designed pre-commitment system can help empower people to take control of their gambling through a range of tools. These will provide accurate information on the time and money spent gambling over a set period (session, week, month or year), help to set limits and facilitate short-term self-exclusion. It also supports venues with harm minimisation messaging tailored to their audiences.
Pre-commitment systems can be stand-alone or embedded into digital payment options and can also reduce the risk of money laundering. In Victoria, while the government has committed to introducing a cashless gambling card system at the casino, it is critical this is also implemented at pubs and clubs with EGMs.
26 January - raised by Cr Jae Papalia
Quotes to be attributed to Brimbank Mayor Cr Bruce Lancashire:
“We know that 26 January means different things to different people, and we’re keen to know how our community view the day and how they want it to be marked.
“The change in the Australian Citizenship Code provides flexibility for Council to consider other options for marking the date rather than the usual Citizenship Ceremonies and Citizen Awards we’ve held in the past.
“I look forward to getting feedback as to how Traditional Custodians and local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples want Council to mark the date.”
Quote to be attributed to Cr Jae Papalia:
“It’s time for Brimbank Council to start engaging with Traditional Custodians and local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people to understand their desire to change Brimbank’s Australia Day Ceremonies date.
“This is something I’m really passionate about. More people are moving to having traditional ceremonies on 26 January to embrace indigenous culture, and it’s important for our Council to understand community sentiment on this topic.”
Background
Council has been hosting an Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony and Citizen of the Year Awards event on 26 January for many years.
In the last two years, Council has worked to increase information and provide a voice from our local First Nations communities about the area’s Indigenous heritage, this includes video addresses from BATSICC, provision of brochures about Brimbank’s Aboriginal history and the distribution of pins to all new citizens, that include the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags
As a result of the recent Federal Government update of the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code, Councils now have flexibility to hold a Citizenship Ceremony either on Australia Day, or in the three days after, or the three days before. This means Council can consider other options for marking the date.
Safety Review, Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre – raised by Cr Maria Kerr
Quotes to be attributed to Brimbank Mayor Cr Bruce Lancashire:
“This safety review of the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre will focus on how to improve parental responsibility for the safety of children and water safety issues in general.
“The review is part of a process of continuous improvement and recognition of the skills and knowledge of water safety across our diverse communities.”
Quote to be attributed to Cr Maria Kerr:
“We have excellent safety standards, skilled staff and dynamic safety partnerships for training and support at the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre, but we’ve found that some in our community are new to water safety and need support.
“This review will help us to find the gaps in water safety knowledge and explore more ways to get those important and lifesaving water safety messages to everyone in Brimbank.”
Background
Since opening in September 2022, the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre has been very popular with Brimbank’s diverse community, some with limited swimming ability or understanding of safety around water.
A number of best practice initiatives are in place to maintain the highest standard of safety for visitors of ages, language and cultural backgrounds.
However, there have been a number of major safety incidents since the facility opened with the main contributing factor being lack of parental supervision.
As a result, Council is committing to a broad review of safety practices, communications to diverse groups both at onsite and across Council media and exploring opportunities for proactive training with at-risk communities in partnership with tenant partners.
Naturestrip Guidelines – raised by Cr Thomas O'Reilly
Quotes to be attributed to Brimbank Mayor Cr Bruce Lancashire:
“Council recognises that creating cooler, more shaded and sustainable green spaces is important to support the health and wellbeing of our residents.
This review will allow residents to have a say in how we manage these public spaces, and ultimately work together towards achieving a greener more liveable city.”
Quotes to be attributed to Cr Thomas O’Reilly:
“This is an important step towards creating a healthier and greener community. The current guidelines are 15 years old so it’s timely to review our approach.
“This review will help explore alternatives to grassed nature strips, and find ways to manage these public spaces that can add biodiversity to our suburbs, and along with shade from our street trees, help beautify our neighbourhoods.”
Background
Council’s Naturestrip Landscaping Guidelines were adopted in 2008, as an integral part of managing Brimbank’s urban environment and assisting residents with appropriate landscape development of their nature strips.
Council recognises that the Naturestrip Landscaping Guidelines need updating to align with multiple policies and strategies that tackle green infrastructure across Brimbank, including the Urban Forest Strategy (2016), Brimbank Tree Policy (2021), Significant Tree Policy (2021) Creating Streets For People (2022) Biodiversity Strategy (2018) and Creating Better Parks Policy & Plan (2016).
Council has commenced a preliminary investigation to consider a rewrite of the guidelines.
As a result, Council is committing to refer the Brimbank City Council Naturestrip Landscaping Guidelines 2008 to the 2023/2024 budget process, to consider a full review that will assist residents in the appropriate development of their nature strips.
The process will include consultation and engagement with key stakeholders and the wider community in continuing to be a transparent, responsive and community-first council.