Pokies plan faces VCAT opposition

Plans for a new gaming machine development in Echuca have been delivered a significant setback.

The owners of the Caledonian Hotel want to install 20 poker machines but the Campaspe Shire's draft gaming policy has the pub in an area of Echuca where new machines as discouraged.

The hotel appealed against the ruling but the planning umpire, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), has supported the council's position.

Mayor Kevin Simpson says the council believes the hotel is a part of Echuca's main shopping district.

"In our work there's been some maps drawn up and there's a line on the map that sort of says this area here is a strip shopping centre and Caledonian Hotel is within that and these areas here that might be okay," he said.

"The proprietors have tried to get that overturned and that hasn't worked."

Source: ABC News, 5 June 2012