Arabic version: خطة نادي كاوبويز في لوغان تثير مخاوف بشأن ماكينات القمار
According to ABC News, the North Queensland Cowboys are proposing a leagues club in Holmview, Logan, south of Brisbane, as part of a plan to expand support for junior and senior local rugby league across Queensland. The preliminary proposal includes 100 gaming machines and has prompted objections from Logan City Mayor Jon Raven, who said the club “can’t pick our pocket”.
Mr Raven said council learned of the plans only a few weeks earlier when the Liquor and Gaming Office wrote to it. He described the application as a “pokie palace” proposal and said other nearby pubs with gaming machines had less than half the number the Cowboys were seeking. He said he wanted either a significant reduction in machine licences or a greater return to the community.
The club’s community impact statement said it would provide $1,650,000 in local sponsorships, donations and support for sport and community over its first five years, beginning with $100,000 in its first year of operation. Mr Raven said that was not enough, arguing the Cowboys were far from their North Queensland catchment and noting that Parramatta was closer to Logan than Townsville.
Cowboys Group chief executive Tim Follett said south-east Queensland had a significant and passionate Cowboys support base and was home to one of the club’s largest supporter communities outside North Queensland. The impact statement said 59 current financial members lived in the local community area, while noting there would most likely be more supporters. Mr Follett said the Cowboys had contacted the mayor’s office and that any future venue would focus on community connection, local jobs, initiatives and partnerships with grassroots sporting organisations and charities.
Queensland Sport Minister Tim Mander said the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation Commission was examining the matter and that the public should have the opportunity to comment. Shadow Treasurer and Waterford MP Shannon Fentiman also encouraged local residents to have their say. Community consultation on the proposed project closes in September.
