The decision to approve the venue for Edgewater estate was handed down on December 15 - 4? months after an 18-day hearing finished in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

It means the Bulldogs can start building Club Edgewater, which will include a 250-seat bistro, sports bar, gaming lounge, cafe, two flexible function rooms for up to 290 people, a 59-room hotel and 295 car spaces.

Club president David Smorgon said the decision had vindicated the club's long-held position of replacing its old social venue at the Whitten Oval.

"We regard VCAT as the umpire. They have blown the whistle and made their adjudication and the decision is very much in our club's favour," Smorgon said. "This is a win for our members, this is a win for the community and this is a win for all of us in the western region."

The decision angered lobby group Residents Against Inappropriate Development in Maribyrnong. President Enzo De Fazio said it had opposed "EdgeVegas" because residents did not want such a large, licensed venue in their neighbourhood.

He questioned the way in which evidence presented to the tribunal had been used to reach the decision.

"It is clear the community has been treated with contempt as a result of this decision, which we are convinced will have a detrimental impact on the community. The reason for granting the permit for EdgeVegas was that the socially and economically vulnerable communities that live closest to the new venue already have gaming venues nearby, so what difference would one more make?" Mr De Fazio said.

Maribyrnong mayor Sel Sanli said the council would study the lengthy decision in detail before deciding whether to appeal to the Supreme Court within the 28-day time limit.

"Nothing is being ruled out at the moment as we haven't read the decision in full," he said.

"I'm quite saddened to hear the ruling was against us. Problem gambling is and will continue to be an issue in this municipality."