VCAT likely to make decision
The Longwarry saleyards development looks set to be decided by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
With an appeal already lodged against the Environment Protection Authority’s works approval, objectors are waiting for confirmation on whether they also need to appeal Baw Baw Shire’s decision.
Melissa McCoy, who is the closest neighbour to the Thornell Rd site, said they were not surprised by council’s approval of the development last week.
“It’s just another piece of the puzzle that had to happen.
“Hopefully the decision will be overturned at VCAT,” she said.
Melissa and her husband Ben have appealed the EPA works approval, with a hearing scheduled for April next year.
She said given council made a decision based on the EPA works approval, they may not have to separately appeal council’s decision.
She said they had 28 days to lodge the appeal and were waiting direction from VCAT.
The McCoy family’s property shares two boundary fences with the property purchased by Longwarry Saleyards Pty Ltd.
In a submission to council last week, the McCoys said the development affected them, 11 other family homes and the greater Longwarry community.
The McCoy’s solicitor QR Lawyers submitted a letter to council, suggesting council should not be making a decision on the planning permit application given the works approval had been appealed.
“There simply is not enough room to separate the devastating impacts such as an offensive industrial development would have on our family homes, our health, our water, our current living conditions – the list is endless,” they told council.
Only 250 metres from the saleyards’ development, Melissa said even a buffer zone would do little to stop the impact on their home and lifestyle.
Instead, she said they now face the prospect of being “imprisoned by a 3.8 metre wall” along their boundary, the only separation between them and the saleyards.
Earlier this year, Melissa said they were offered a get-out option – the developers offered to buy them out.
“They approached us when we first moved in to purchase our property, but it left us with a set of conditions that would leave us in limbo for too long.
“And I am not sure that I could just sell up and then know other neighbours would have to put up with it,” she said.
Although their fight is far from over, Melissa said they felt in a much stronger position.
“I feel like now we have professional help and financial backing we feel a lot better – it has taken a big weight off our shoulders.
“We will get our own independent reporting done and that will be the base of our appeal to VCAT,” Melissa said.
Genuine councillor
I recently received my voting slip for Baw Baw Shire Council elections.
I’ve contacted Tricia Jones twice in the last couple of years and both times, Tricia has followed through and the issue has been successfully resolved.
Now I’m not saying the other candidates are inferior, and I’m not a big fan of teacher’s being part of the class that made the other half look good.
If you want somebody that has genuine concern for the the west ward then you could no worse than vote for Tricia Jones
George Karlis, Drouin
Expenses
Can Baw Baw Shire ratepayers afford to keep paying for Micheal Leaney's expenses for the next four years?
In the first two years and eight months he was paid $116,658.00 for councillor allowance, mileage and IT expenses.
This does not include all costs for the last financial year. Whilst I get that when a councillor in the last term he was entitled to travel expenses because he lived in Walhalla, I think $34,220.70 in claims for mileage more than covers costs for fuel and wear and tear on a vehicle.
He is also allowed a remote area travel allowance (I believe from the State Government). Does he deduct that from his mileage claim from Baw Baw Shire.
One instance I would like to point out is, at a meeting in Darnum Cr Leaney attended for nearly 30 minutes then left. For this he was able to claim $149.27, not bad considering he never spoke one word.
Reading his election material one would think he was the only person on council to get anything done in the East ward of the shire.
One thing he did do was to rally the troops from Aberfeldy to lobby the council to get a $50,000 Placemaking grant to build toilets in Aberfeldie.
I think he would have received a much better outcome had he helped Baw Baw Shire to