The gambling venues policy consultation is now closed
Council regularly seeks your feedback on a variety of issues, proposed policies or plans, projects or consent applications which affect Upper Hutt.
In accordance with the Local Government Act 2002, Upper Hutt City Council is in the process of reviewing its Gambling policies for class 4 gaming machine venues (“Pokies”) and New Zealand Racing Board Venues (including TAB) and we asked to hear people's views on the proposed amended policy.
The purpose of the gambling policy is to:
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ensure that Council and the Community have an influence over the provision and location of new gambling venues in the City,
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ensure that the primary purpose of these venues is not to provide Class 4 Gaming machines,
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ensure gaming machines and TABs are located in venues where there is a degree of supervision and control of those using the machines to help reduce the risk of problem gambling,
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minimise the harm to the community caused by gambling, and
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allow the community to have access to gambling venues for entertainment purposes and to benefit from the proceeds generated.
A detailed copy of the proposed amended policy is included in the Statement of proposal and the changes are summarised in the Summary of information. The Summary of information also provides more details on the process for people who wished to submit feedback regarding the proposal.
Some of the proposed amendments are summarised as follows:
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Clarifying that gambling must not the primary activity of a class 4 gaming machine venue.
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Clarifying that the location of any new class 4 gaming machines or venues must be at least 100 metres from any existing class 4 gaming venue, or kindergarten, early childhood centre, kōhanga reo, school, or other community facility
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Clarifying how and when a venue may or may not relocate, and transfer its existing Pokie machines to a new venue.
- Combining both class 4 gaming machine venues and New Zealand Racing Board venues (TAB) policies into one document.
Have your say
Submissions on the proposed Gambling venue policy were welcomed from any person or organisation who wished to give feedback and we encouraged you to tell us your views.
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The Summary of information(PDF, 111KB) summarises the proposed changes, along with details on the process for people wishing to submit feedback regarding the proposal.
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The Statement of Proposal(PDF, 236KB) includes the options considered and a draft copy of the proposed policy.
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A Submission could be completed online, or a (PDF, 110KB)form could be downloaded(PDF, 110KB), filled out, and sent to Council via email, freepost, or delivered to a submission box at the Council reception, Upper Hutt Library or Pinehaven Library.
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To support the development of the policy, a Social Impact Assessment report(PDF, 1MB) was produced, which looked at the current state of gambling in Upper Hutt.
Printed copies of all these documents re also available at the Upper Hutt City Council Civic Centre (838 – 842 Fergusson Drive) and the Upper Hutt Central and Pinehaven Libraries.
Submissions were open between 17 June 2020 and closed on 19 July 2020.
All submissions will now be considered and deliberated on by Council.
Those people who made a submission will also have the opportunity to discuss their views with Councillors at a hearing on 5 August 2020 at 4:30 pm. in Council Chambers.