The LNP-dominated Brisbane City Council (BCC) has handed over public land - the former Stafford Bowls Club - to Brisbane Racing Club (BRC). They plan to install 76 new pokie machines, without community consultation or transparency, failing to go to tender for the site.
What’s more, the QLD Labor Government’s Commissioner for Liquor and Gaming waived the usual requirement for BRC to submit a community impact statement for their gaming licence, and only advertised for community comment after immense public pressure.
Thankfully, the wonderful Stafford community rallied for submissions and we hope the Commissioner has heard loud and clear: we do not want a commercial gambling interest like BRC using public land to line their pockets at the expense of local residents.
This situation is unsurprising given that the LNP and Labor have accepted more than $9 million in donations from the gambling industry over the last two decades. Last year, political donations from the gambling industry increased by 40% on the previous year.
This is legalised corruption, and it’s caused Australians have the world’s worst average gambling losses, about $1000 per adult each year,leading to greater amounts of suicide, domestic violence, crime & financial distress.
We don’t want to see this happen in Stafford. Local residents have done an incredible job opposing this re-development, calling instead for a family-friendly community hub that will connect nearby sporting facilities and small businesses.
Now we want to hear what you think should happen at the site, so please RSVP for our free brekky BBQ!
Former Stafford Bowls Club Site
STAFFORD QLD 4053