that is knocking

OPPORTUNITY only knocks once and generally it’s a pretty soft knock.

Mildura councils over a lot of years have been incredibly deaf when opportunity knocks (the old base hospital for instance) and have failed badly in recognising an opportunity when it arises.

So, in my humble opinion, if we as a community let the opportunity of securing a casino in this city pass us by, we will in the long term live to regret it.

The doom and gloom, anti-every­thing, do-gooders (no offence intended) who oppose this project seem to forget there’s hundreds and hundreds of poker machines, racing betting shops and other gambling facilities throughout this district and although we have a small percentage of problem gamblers, I doubt a casino will increase their ability to spend.

We need to look at the bigger picture.

Sure a casino will attract gamblers from Sunraysia, but mainly form other areas. Casinos also provide employment, world class entertainment, quality restaurants and other activities apart from gambling.

Visitors will flock to Mildura for the experience. They’ll stay here, eat here, shop here, buy our wines and enjoy our river and the other tourist activities that we have to offer.

Let’s get out of the 19th century and welcome a 21st century concept.

Remember, for those who object to a casino, you don’t have to go.

Ian Tune,

Mildura

For more of this story, purchase your copy of Thursday’s Sunraysia Daily 12/11/2009.