The owners of Zagame’s propose to increase the patron capacity by more than 240 people. PICTURE: ADAM TRAFFORD
BALLARAT City Council will tonight consider a proposal for major upgrades to the Zagame’s Hotel site in Main Road, Golden Point.
In what is expected to be a busy meeting, plans lodged by applicant Canadian Creek Resort Pty Ltd in June 2012 will be considered by the full council.
If allowed, the proposal would increase maximum patron capacity at the venue by more than 240 people and see extensions to the existing hotel building, five new open-air courtyards, an expanded gaming area, a new sports bar and a children’s play area.
Also included in the plans are the 113 additional car parking spaces, changes to the driveway entrances and modifications to the TAB at the venue.
The venue’s maximum number of patrons will increase from 654 to 900, but the number of electronic gaming machines at the hotel will not increase beyond the current 105 machines.
Operating hours at the hotel will remain the same, with the operating licence allowing trading between 7am and 3am the following day.
Already one of Ballarat’s largest venues, last financial year Zagame’s collected more than $10 million from poker machines.
A spokesperson for Zagame’s Hotels in Melbourne did not respond to a request for comment yesterday but the proposal received two formal objections from nearby residents of Larter Street.
The objectors raised concerns of noise from the expanded car park and courtyards into nearby residential properties.
Concerns about “an increase in the number of drunk patrons leaving the premises or fighting outside” were also considered.
Planning documents lodged with the City of Ballarat show the upgrades were amended to include acoustic fencing and full-height glazing to reduce noise levels.
Victoria Police and the Director of Liquor Licensing did not object to the expansion plans, while VicRoads called for 11 road conditions to be met at the site.
A report prepared by City of Ballarat senior statutory planner Rod Davison recommends a planning permit be issued to applicant.
Since 1999, three planning permits have been approved to increase the building’s footprint.
The council will tonight also consider plans for Craig’s Hotel in Lydiard Street South and the Golf House Hotel in Doveton Street North to have additional gaming machines.
thomas.mcilroy@fairfaxmedia.com.au
