A Melton City councillor has described Monday night’s council vote on whether to give the green light to Essendon’s pokies plan in the area as a “difficult situation”.

Nine Melton councillors are set to vote on whether or not to approve a proposed 29-year lease extension, which would allow the Bombers to continue to operate the Melton Country Club until the end of 2047.

Essendon collected over $11 million from its two pokies venues in 2016-17. Credit:Darrian Traynor

The Age revealed in July that Essendon were in discussions to prolong their lease at the venue, where the Dons reap the profits of 89 poker machines.

That is despite the moves in recent times of Collingwood, Melbourne, Geelong and the Western Bulldogs, all of whom have planned exits from the gaming industry.