The Alcohol Preventative Policy and Gambling Preventative Policy were adopted at the council meeting on Monday, December 11, 2023.

Alcohol Preventative Policy

Prior to the development of this policy, an extensive and inclusive engagement process took place, which involved multiple stakeholders such as the Wodonga Local Drug Action Team, the Wodonga Liquor Accord, representatives from the service sector, and members of the general community. This collaborative approach played a pivotal role in encompassing a wide range of perspectives and insights, resulting in a draft policy that is well-balanced, strong, and highly relevant.

Following the development of the draft Alcohol Harm Prevention Policy, a formal public exhibition of the policy was held from September 20 to October 10, 2023.

During this period, the council received six comprehensive responses. Notable themes emerged from this feedback.

• Suggested strengthening of the policy name, making it less neutral, and incorporating the term "harm prevention."
• A need for a more comprehensive background and context for the policy, including its relationship to Albury.
• Questions about the implementation, including the existence of an action plan and the specific steps for putting these policies into practice.
• Greater regulation, including the consideration of limiting the number of licensed liquor stores.
• A call for more venues that serve alcohol responsibly and the revocation of permits for businesses that do not comply.
• A recommendation for the council to demonstrate leadership by not allocating ratepayer funding towards alcohol.
• A desire for a clearer focus on safety and community well-being rather than 'optimising benefits' from licensed premises.

In response to the feedback received, several changes have been incorporated into the draft policy.

• The policy name has been changed from "Alcohol Policy" to "Alcohol Harm Prevention Policy."
• An executive summary of the background report and the data factsheet has been attached to the report. Officers do not recommend including this information in the policy, as it frequently changes.
• A commitment to operationalise the policy through the implementation of an accompanying action plan has been added to the policy.
• Regarding the community's feedback urging the council to reduce the number of licensed liquor stores and promote responsible service of alcohol, it's important to note that the council's influence is limited. The council primarily focuses on protecting and upholding the safety and amenity of areas surrounding licensed premises, assessing social impact, developing permit conditions, and promoting safer design principles. While local laws have authority in public spaces, the responsible service of alcohol within venues falls under the Liquor Control Reform Act (1988) and is regulated by VGCCC compliance officers and the police. Licenses may incur demerit points for related offenses.
• The council has established clear policies that dictate its approach to managing ratepayers' money and regulating alcohol consumption among its members and staff. The staff code of conduct prohibits alcohol consumption during work hours, and the councillor expenses policy explicitly states that the council will not provide reimbursements for alcohol-related expenses. In exceptional cases, such as when alcohol is connected to formal hospitality at civic functions or approved business meetings, approval from the CEO is required for such expenses. These policies are designed to strike a balance between responsible fiscal management and accommodating flexibility in well-defined situations, all while upholding transparency and accountability in the use of ratepayers' money.

Gambling Preventative Policy

Following the development of the draft policy, a formal public exhibition of the policy occurred from September 20 to October 10, 2023. During this period, the council received six comprehensive responses, highlighting several key themes.

The policy is designed to be a high-level document outlining the principles which inform subsequent plans and actions. Some of the communities proposed inclusions will be integrated in the subsequent action plan to be developed with stakeholders, instead of the policy. The feedback will also be referred to at this point.

The policy recognises the role of local government, and the limitations. The council’s primary responsibilities include assessing social impact, developing permit conditions which support appropriate trade and minimise harm, protecting and upholding the safety and amenity of areas surrounding licensed premises, and promoting safe design principles.

• Suggested renaming the policy to emphasise "harm prevention" and to move away from a neutral tone.
  The policy's name has been changed from "Gambling Policy" to "Gambling Harm Prevention Policy."
• A request for a more comprehensive background and context for the policy, including its relation to Albury.
  The reports and factsheet used to inform the development of the policy have now been referenced and linked within the policy, to provide greater context.
• Inquiries about policy implementation, including the need for an action plan and specific steps for practical execution.
  An action plan is intended to be developed to operationalise the policy. This commitment has now been added to the policy.
• The need for clearer definitions of terms 'neighbouring' or 'nearby.'
  A definition of "neighbouring" has been added, specifying it as physical, visual, or functional integration or proximity.
• Calls for stricter regulations, including timing limits on machines and music prohibition.
  In response to requests for more stringent statutory harm minimisation measures/regulations, whilst frequently determined by the State, the council will engage in advocacy efforts to promote robust harm minimisation measures to both State and Federal government levels.
• Calls for controlling the placement of machines, especially in areas like smoking zones and restrooms.
  Regulations governing venue design typically fall within the scope of the Gambling Act. Nevertheless, the specifications outlined in Schedule 52.28 of the planning scheme ensure that the internal design of venues complies with the standards set forth in the Gambling Act during the assessment of a
  venue's suitability.
• A suggestion to establish a limit on the number of Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) in Wodonga.
  Municipal gaming caps are set by the State Government; however, council acknowledges its role in advocacy and evaluating the social and cumulative impacts of planning and licensing requests.
• A recommendation for the council to engage an independent body for social and community impact assessment for new EGM proposals.
  Social and community impact assessments will be undertaken by council staff, independent of applicants.
• A recommendation to revise the language regarding gambling advertising on council facilities, with a focus on prohibiting all forms of gambling advertising, including logos of pubs and clubs involved in gambling activities on councilowned or managed properties.
  While the proposal to prohibit all gambling advertising on council facilities is acknowledged, complexities may arise due to the involvement of local businesses in supporting community events and existing contractual agreements.
• A proposal to replace the term 'gaming' with 'gambling' throughout the policy.
  Council acknowledges that the use of Electronic Gaming Machines is gambling. The term 'gambling' will be used, except when referring to Electronic Gaming Machine, which is the correct terminology.
• A proposal to remove the phrase "maximise opportunities for gambling harm to bring benefits" due to its contradiction with the policy's objectives and similarly, a request to remove the phrase "consider advantages and disadvantages" in recognition of the harms associated with gambling.
  Wording related to 'maximising benefits' and 'considering advantages and disadvantages' has been modified.
• The importance of prioritising stakeholders based on their significance or relevance to the policy's goals.
  Listing stakeholders will not be included in the policy due to the dynamic nature of this information.