Truckie defies council

Lara property used as a truck depot six years without a permit

A CARTAGE contracting firm ordered by VCAT to cease operations on a Lara property in 2013 still has trucks on the site more than six years later.

W Osborne and Son Pty Ltd was given three months to cease operations at its Tillys Rd depot in November 2012 after VCAT upheld the Geelong Council’s refusal to grant it a permit.

Despite it and another trucking company using the site for more than a decade without intervention, complaints from neighbours about noise at inappropriate hours and dust was the trigger for the council to step in.

The company was given until February 14, 2013, to have all of its large vehicles off the land.

But neighbours say a number of large trucks are still parked on the property more than six years later.

“They’ve still got trucks coming and going from that site despite the VCAT ruling in 2012,” one neighbour said.

“It’s a joke. They’re going all hours.”

The Addy saw a large truck with W Osborne insignia enter the rural property yesterday morning before parking up.

When contacted by the Addy, owner Trevor Osborne was unapologetic about the situation.

“Where else am I going to park my trucks?” he said. “We tried to get a permit but the council knocked us back.

“I’m just waiting for the council to take me to court.”

Council’s director of plan

“We are investigating the site after receiving complaints relating to the property,” he said.

“Officers have undertaken a number of inspections and our investigation continues.”

The council refused the permit in February 2012, citing factors raised by complainants the company. “The company is in the unfortunate situation of having committed itself to this land about three years ago without properly investigating whether it is allowed to use the land,” he said.

“The fact it may have been used for a similar purpose for eight years might have supported a belief that the land could be used.”

The previous occupant, a furniture removal business that used the land as a depot for trucks and semi-trailers, later moved next door.