Gaming plan for club

By Paul Dunlop
GAMING machines could come to Beaconsfield under multimilliondollar plans for a sports club on the edge of town.
Cardinia Shire Council has received an application for a threestorey development — supported by Athletics Australia — that would feature a host of dining, leisure and recreation facilities.
The proposal has already created controversy around town (see report on this page) both for its location near the town’s community centre and a kindergarten and the prospect of it changing Beaconsfield’s current pokiefree status.
But development spokesman Robin Daley said the sports club was just what the fastgrowing area needed.
Mr Daley said the development had been part of the vision for the area for many years and would provide a stateoftheart club environment modelled on the best facilities of its kind around Victoria and New South Wales.
“This could be a great asset for Beaconsfield,” he said.
Mr Daley said the development would operate with the support of Athletics Australia and generate muchneeded revenue that would be shared with local sports and service clubs, as well as provide a stateoftheart entertainment complex for residents of Beaconsfield, Officer and surrounds.
The Cranbournebased businessman said the sports club be a major new employer for the area.
“You’re looking at up to 50 jobs and a capital investment in the area of around $8.5 million to get it up and running,” Mr Daley said.
“This will be a highquality establishment offering a range of leisure and recreation options, a top class restaurant and bistro, gaming area and sporting facilities.”
Mr Daley said much of the concern in the community was based on misinformation.
He said a public meeting would be held at the Beaconsfield Community Centre on Thursday, 9 March.
“People are calling it a hotel, there is a very big distinction between a club and a hotel,” he said.
“A club puts funds back into the community.”
He said up to $100,000 could be injected back into the community each year.
Mr Daley said his vision for the area also included the development of athletics and soccer facilities on the nearby oval across O’Neil Road.
Mr Daley acknowledged that some residents opposed the proposal but believed their concerns could be assuaged.
The chairman of Cranbourne Turf Club said he would be speaking to councillors and residents before outlining the proposal at next Thursday’s public meeting, which starts at 7pm.
Mr Daley said the Cranbournebased Trios centre was run on similar lines to the development proposed for Beaconsfield and operated very successfully.