Legal moves to annul pokies consent

FIGHTING: Anti-pokie activists have begun legal moves to stop nine machines going into the new Brewers Bar at Victory Square.

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Anti-pokie activists have begun legal moves to stop nine machines going into the new Brewers Bar at Victory Square.

They have used lawyers to approach the Nelson City Council and the Internal Affairs Department, which has yet to grant a licence for the machines.

The group of Nelson residents who have mobilised opposition to the pokies believe the council acted illegally when it changed its gambling policy, a move that allows pokie machines to be installed in premises close to kindergartens, schools and playgrounds.

Because of the policy change, council has given consent for pokies to be installed in Brewers bar, across the road from a playground and near Victory Kindergarten.

Representatives of the opposition group and its lawyers were to meet with city council officers this morning.

The council has said it can't revoke a consent once it has been issued, but the group is arguing that the consent isn't valid because the policy change is in breach of the Gambling Act and the Local Government Act.

A lunchtime protest march was held yesterday, beginning at Victory Square and ending at the council offices.

"Essentially we're saying that the policy is illegal," protest organiser Hester Phillips said.

Although only 20 people took part in the march, Ms Phillips said a better indication of support was shown by the 250 anti-pokie submissions gathered during the week.

A second march, which set off from outside the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology in Nile St, joined the Victory group outside Civic House, doubling the numbers, with both groups chanting "Lose the pokies, Victory wins" and "Pokies none, Victory one".

Ms Phillips, who does not live in the Victory community but teaches dance there, used a loud-hailer to address the protesters.

"Having pokie machines a few doors down from the kindergarten and across the road from the playground is outrageous. It is exploiting hope among the most vulnerable community, and we don't stand for it," she said.

Co-organiser Darci Goldsworthy, who presented the submission forms to Mayor Kerry Marshall, was cheered when he said: "It's about time that our leaders paid attention to the voices of those that are not heard."

A third speaker, Brendan Santorini from Atawhai, said he had a son who was nearly 10.

"I don't want him running out onto the rugby field knowing that he's supported by a trust who bought his jersey, when someone else on the other side of Victory Square has had trouble getting food on the table because they've spent their money in the pokie machines."

Accepting the pile of submissions, Mr Marshall said he had attended Victory School and had lived in St Vincent St. "It's part of my history and I love the place."

Wood resident Angela Mockett, who also helped organise the march, said the group's legal moves offered the council "an opportunity for them to sort this out for the community".

"Our main priority is to not have pokies in Victory Square. We don't believe that consent is valid and we're asking them to have a good look again at the processes they followed in reviewing their gambling policy."

Internal Affairs Department spokesman Trevor Henry said the bar's pokie application was still being considered. Brewers Bar owner Peter McGrath this morning said he "absolutely" intended to go ahead with installing the machines as soon as the Internal Affairs Department issued the licence.

- © Fairfax NZ News