Maribyrnong's 12 venues took $58,794,682.17 during 2008-09, an increase of $694,236.41 on the $58,100,445.76 lost in 2007-08.

The venues incurring the highest losses were:

* Ashley Hotel, Braybrook, 50 machines - $11,158,514.85

* Yarraville Cricket Club, Maidstone, 76 machines - $10,161,805.38

* Highpoint Taverner, Maribyrnong, 70 machines - $8,435,062.07

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal is hearing a controversial Western Bulldogs plan for 70 poker machines at its Club Edgewater development.

After a nine-day hearing in December, the commission announced that the site on Edgewater Boulevard was suitable for the 70 machines proposed as part of an entertainment complex, but Maribyrnong Council appealed against the gaming licence.

Final submissions will be heard at VCAT on August 5 and 7.

The Bulldogs say the proposal means an overall decrease of 11 poker machines in Maribyrnong.

The municipality has 511 machines.

Maribyrnong Mayor Michael Clarke said the council had a responsibility

to protect the wellbeing of the community.

"Council's legal costs - in this issue and others - are investments made on behalf of our community that aim to reduce risk, negative impacts and social harm.

"In the case of the VCAT hearing against council's decision on the Edgewater gaming proposal, we had no choice but to defend our planning decision.

"We have a responsibility to do what we can to prevent inappropriate

planning proposals and social harm being inflicted against our community."

Maribyrnong is one of 19 local government areas with a poker machine cap of 10 machines for 1000 adults, but the State Government said in May it was reviewing that figure given the rapid population growth in some Melbourne suburbs.