Bridge of troubles can stay for now

AN allegedly illegal bridge built over the North Esk River by a Tasmanian businessman newly elected to council will not have to be dismantled before the matter comes before the Magistrates Court, the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal says.

Launceston businessman Joseph John Pintarich, known more commonly as Joe Pentridge, constructed a 68m bridge connecting two properties owned by his companies Holly Pty Ltd and Pentridge Pty Ltd at 49 Boland St and 50 Wildor Cres, Ravenswood, collectively known as the Glebe Farm.

Mr Pintarich, who was elected a City of Launceston councillor at last year’s local government elections, has been charged by council officers with four criminal offences, including developing land without a permit, performing work in a hazardous area, and building works that do not comply with the Building Act and the National Construction Code.

Mr Pintarich and his companies are yet to enter pleas on the charges. They will next appear before Launceston Magistrates Court on March 2. The City of Launceston has also slapped Mr Pintarich and his companies with various enforcement notices and building orders, each of which specifies that the bridge is to be dismantled by February 1.

Mr Pintarich sought a stay in the operation of those orders, which he is appealing, until the criminal proceedings are heard and determined.

In a determination by tribunal member Fabian Brimfield dated January 5, he granted Mr Pintarich’s request, with the orders stayed “until further order of the tribunal”.

Mr Pintarich argues that his bridge is not illegal and he did not require a development or building permit. He gave evidence to the tribunal on January 20, where he was cross-examined by council’s lawyer.

“(He) objected to answering questions on the basis that those answers might tend to incriminate him, before answering anyway,” Mr Brimfield noted. Council argues the bridge is “not structurally sound and could exacerbate floods of the North Esk River”. The bridge remains incomplete, Mr Brimfield noted in his determination. “Building works ceased at the time the council issued the building orders (on December 8),” Mr Brimfield said. “The walkway of the bridge is only partially constructed and it does not have a solid floor. Additionally, there are no gangways which connect the ends of the bridge to the ground level, to allow people, animals or vehicles to use the bridge. It would require a significantly determined person, who was cavalier with their own safety, to mount and use the bridge.”

He ordered Mr Pintarich to place signage at either end of the bridge warning people away while the matter is determined.