Gambling on pokies
Gambling on the pokies is big business in Waipa.
Jo Davies-Colley
Waipā District Council is currently reviewing its Gambling Policy. The Waipā district has 232 gaming machines (also known as pokies), located at 15 venues. We understand that a portion of money spent on pokies is returned to the community by way of grants to clubs and community projects.
The board acknowledges that for some members of the community, gambling can be a fun and safe leisure activity, but we also know that for others, gambling can be incredibly harmful. After reviewing and workshopping the policy review, we unanimously agreed to support the ‘sinking lid’ policy option.
This means that the cap on the number of gaming machines or Class 4 venues (premises where pokie machines are held that are not casinos) allowed in the district gradually sinks as venues lose their licences or close.
We believe this option allows the machines to be phased out slowly, over a period of years, and will also give community groups time to seek alternative funding. The wellbeing of the community, our future generations and the harm caused through gambling, were all factors in our feedback.
The board believes our current library, although loved and well used, has outgrown its location.
The library staff do an incredible job with the room they have but space is running out for both the books and places to hold events and programmes.
This week the board launched a quick three minute survey that we hope will capture the community’s thoughts and opinions on the need for a new Cambridge library and community hub, and what you would like to see in this space. We are looking forward to reading how our community feels on the matter.
We have continued to work closely with council’s Community Services team and will be sharing the results of the survey with them and in our Long-Term Plan submission in early 2024.
For more details on the survey.
It is also available through both a QR code and paper copy at the library, and you’ll see Community Board members asking for feedback at the library and out and about in the community.
We are pleased to see council has adopted the Cambridge Pathways Plan. This significant piece of cycling and walking infrastructure will be crucial to many commuters, school children and walkers as Cambridge continues to grow and develop. It creates safer pathways and streets for Cambridge residents and will link with existing paths.
We know, however, that Leamington residents have been asking for safer pathways in their neighbourhood too. Council is looking at and planning safety improvements for that area and the board is taking an active role in promoting the needs of the Leamington community and advocating for permanent safety changes.
