Whitehorse council is still pursuing negotiations with current owner Phileo Australia to buy the land.
Two councillors have demanded a rethink as the plan waits for a new vote.
“We had about 70 members and lost almost half because of the [Kilsyth] closure.”
The proposal “does not produce a net community benefit and does not constitute orderly planning”.
The venue has since successfully applied to increase its poker machine numbers to over 100.
A new pool has to be on ground level, not the first floor.
Gamblers lost more than $20 million at one venue - the Dorset Gardens Hotel - last financial year.
“We’re scraping the bottom of the barrel.”
“I commit to not repeating this behaviour or to minimising it.”
“I feel disappointed every time I shop.”
The project would level 28 existing units to make way for building the two apartment buildings, as well as a community hub.
Construction on the dedicated children’s emergency department is scheduled to start in 2027.
