Pig kill shed’s new rules

ALL members of the Forrest Men’s Shed will be forced to sign a new code of conduct after investigations into allegations pigs were illegally slaughtered at the council-owned property.

The group became embroiled in a scandal and multiagency investigation into the alleged slaughter and butchering of pigs and sheep in June.

Police launched an investigation into firearm use after community complaints.

It is understood a person was charged on summons over firearms offences.

Colac-Otway Shire’s acting chief executive officer Tony McGann said the council had completed a thorough review into the allegations and had spoken to all members of the organisation.

Formal investigations by meat regulatory body Prime- Safe are understood to have concluded with no further action taken to date.

Mr McGann said the group had provided the council with a full report into the incident.

The council deemed the group breached local law by keeping livestock on smaller than regulation land, but subsequent inspection had established this was no longer taking place.

“Council fully supports Forrest Men’s Shed’s ongoing use of the public asset as a social meeting place,” Mr McGann said.

“The Forrest Men’s Shed provided council with a complete report on the incident detailing all actions taken; all members of the organisation were made aware of the breach of the licence agreement and the impact this may have on future use of the site by the organisation.”

Mr McGann said the council had worked with the Forrest Men’s Shed committee to establish a code of conduct to be signed by all members.

The code outlines the roles and responsibilities of members and seeks to ensure licence agreement conditions are met.

“Council is happy to provide support and advice to any community groups that have questions regarding use of public assets; if there is no suggestion of a breach in licence agreement,” he said.

“Council doesn’t find it necessary to make any changes to the standard operational procedures in place.”

The Australian Men’s Shed Association said in June it would assist the Forrest Men’s Shed in dealing with this issue.

Forrest Men’s Shed could not be reached for comment, but a spokesman said at the time the alleged activity was not organised by the group’s committee and was not condoned.