Page 1632 - Week 05 - Thursday, 5 May 2016
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The scheme’s forfeiture provisions also mean that the territory has seen a significant reduction in the number of machines operating in the community. The scheme retains a strong focus on harm minimisation while providing the right balance in supporting the ongoing viability of the territory’s clubs.
The government has also agreed to progress a number of recommendations put forward by the recent public accounts committee inquiry into the future of clubs. The government is working to implement the agreed recommendations in consultation with relevant stakeholders, with a particular emphasis on providing assistance to clubs seeking to diversify their revenue streams away from the gaming machine revenue.
The community clubs task force was specifically established to assist clubs who are seeking to diversify their business models and decrease their reliance on gaming machine revenue and secure long-term viability. The task force is a collaborative effort between government, the clubs and ClubsACT to deliver better redevelopment outcomes for the clubs.
The task force has met with several clubs to discuss their redevelopment proposals and to provide assistance in navigating their way through government processes. A number of clubs have had their concerns resolved as a result of presenting to the task force, and several others are now progressing with redevelopment opportunities.
One example of diversification I would like to highlight today is the Canberra Southern Cross Club. The club removed all gaming machines from the yacht club and is now focused on delivering a waterfront dining and hospitality experience. The club is also looking to diversify its Woden site to incorporate a health and wellness centre and early learning centre. The government has supported this proposal through the task force. I understand it is currently progressing well.
The government also continues to provide lease variation charge remissions for eligible applicants. These remissions were introduced as part of the government’s economic stimulus package and provide important support measures for clubs seeking to diversify their operations. Recognising that these remissions provide an important support measure for clubs looking to redevelop, the government has extended the remissions for eligible applicants from March 2016 for a further two years. Clubs seeking to redevelop their sites may apply for remission, with the applications being assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Another example of a practical support provided by this government to help diversification was the waiving of the land variation charge of over $700,000 to the Burns Club. The broader community in the Kambah area will benefit from this support through the increased availability of child care, which is planned to be built on the club’s subdivided site.
The government continues to provide support to community clubs through the progression of key red tape reduction reforms and, in the past two years, in addition to the reform package, the government passed two red tape reduction bills. (Time expired.)
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