Election Q & A in Drysdale

Candidates for the seat of Bellarine in the forthcoming state election faced questions from

around forty north Bellarine voters at a Candidates Forum in Drysdale at 10.00am on 10 November.

The Drysdale, Clifton Springs and Curlewis Community Association (DCSCA) organised and ran the Forum at SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre, 17 - 21 High Street, Drysdale.

Four candidates accepted DCSCA’s invitation to attend: Naomi Adam (Animal Justice Party); Brian McKiterick (Liberal Party); Lisa Neville MP (Labour Party); and Rachel Semmens (Greens).

(Gayle Tierney, member for Western Victoria in Victoria’s upper house, stood in for Lisa Neville who - as Minister for Police - was in Melbourne dealing with a terrorist incident there the previous day.)

From local roads to One Belt, One Road!

Each candidate was given 5 minutes to argue why they should be elected to the seat; each then answered three questions that DCSCA had sent to them beforehand; then audience members were invited to ask their questions.

A wide range of topics was addressed. Some were explicitly about the north Bellarine: a new swimming pool, an offshore sculpture/reef, traffic management and a long-term plan for the area to address what most speakers argued is its over-development.

Other topics were of broader interest: the future of the TAFE system; crime, punishment an prevention; and the Memorandum of Understanding signed recently by the Victoria state government and the Chinese government concerning the latter’s “One Belt, One Road” policy. The event finished at 11.30am.

The Drysdale Forum was the third of four such events being run across the Bellarine Peninsula by the Combined Bellarine Community Associations (CBCA), of which DCSCA is a member.

DCSCA drafts a strategy for landfill advisory group

DCSCA is a member of a Community Consultation Group created by the City of Greater Geelong (CoGG) to advise it on the management of the Drysdale Landfill site (aka 'the tip'!).

CoGG launched the group at a public meeting in Drysdale on 7 June 2016 and DCSCA intends to be an active member. To that end, it has drafted a Waste Management Strategy, which it intends to present at the Group's next meeting in August.
DCSCA's draft strategy follows.

1.      Aims

Operations at the Drysdale Landfill site should accord with the Barwon Region Waste Management Plan, which should aim to provide the Barwon Region with a best practice Waste Management Plan meeting community expectations; and to promote sustainable built and natural environments.

The Barwon Region Waste Management Plan should meet its aims through four inter-related strategies: minimise the waste dumped at landfill sites; minimise the cost and maximise the convenience of dumping waste at landfill sites; minimise the social, environmental and health-related dangers of illegal dumping of waste; recycle as much as possible of the waste dumped at landfill sites.

Each of those four strategies should have a measurable target and success in meeting each target should be published each year, to promote continuous improvement. E.g.: 70% of customers ‘Satisfied’ or ‘Very Satisfied’ with waste disposal in the region; 10% of litter, odour and run-off from the site.

DCSCA Questions. 1. Does the Barwon Region Waste Management Plan and the Drysdale Landfill site each have its own Objectives Statement? If so .... 2. Can the Consultative Group propose amendments to either Objectives Statement?

2.      Specific objectives

Operations at the Drysdale Landfill site should meet the following objectives:

2.1 Reduce waste. Set annual targets and publishing the results. E. g. phase out single use plastic bottles and plastic bags; teach people a) to reduce the waste they generate and b) to dispose of it selectively into the yellow, green and purple bins; encourage manufacturers a) to reduce their packaging and b) to make their products more easily disposable.

2.2 Re-use waste. Set annual targets and publish the results. E. g. increase the efficiency of material separation and recycling at recycling and waste disposal centres; create a clean site for waste disposal within a 20 mt. drive of each resident of the Barwon Region.

2.3 Recycle waste. Set annual targets and publish the results. E. g. encourage shops to have bins for returning packaging (e.g. bottles, boxes) to manufacturers. Institute an annual award for best performing shop; encourage manufacturers to use the trucks that collect and deliver their goods to shops to carry returned packaging (especially packaging that combines plastic, cardboard and foam) on their return journeys. Institute an annual award for best performing manufacturer. (The manufacturers create the waste, councils and private recycling companies shouldn’t have to clear it up.)

2.4 Generate income from waste to offset costs. Set annual targets and publish the results. E. g. recover precious metals from computers and mobile phones and sell as ‘raw materials’ to local industry to promote the local economy; separate metal, plastic, rubber, paper/cardboard (others?) and sell as 'raw materials' to local industry to promote the local economy; generate power with gases 'harvested' from waste and through high temperature incineration of toxic material; generate wood chips and mulch from 'green waste' and sell to the public.
2.5 Treat waste more efficiently and effectively. Set annual targets and publish the results.

2.6 Dispose of waste more efficiently and effectively. Set annual targets and publish the results. E.g. make disposal easier through providing bins dedicated to product types (e.g., batteries, scrap metal, computers/phones, furniture, beds & bedding); dispose of asbestos separately from general waste; seal it in non-permeable material and burry it in marked sites, to minimise health risks. (At present, asbestos waste is mixed-in with general waste at the tip face.); dispose of paint, chemicals, etc. separately from general waste, to minimise a) health risks and b) illegal dumping.

2.7 Work towards ‘Zero Waste’. Publish progress each year.

DCSCA Questions. 1. What can be done to reduce the cost of a trip to the tip? Illegal dumping is increasing in the Barwon Region, largely due to the high cost and difficulty of a trip to the tip. This could entail a 2 hour round trip, an outlay of over $60, a difficult reversing manoeuver with a trailer and unloading potentially hazardous objects from a trailer. It could also result in a muddy car and trailer.

2. Why is there a charge to dump green waste? Other councils make no charge for green waste. Why does CoGG charge to dump green waste AND mulch and sell it? (A ‘double dip’ at the tip!)

Let's talk rubbish!

DCSCA has been invited to join a Community Consultation Group for the Drysdale Landfill site.

The Group was launched officially at a public meeting on 7 June 2016 at the SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre. The City of Greater Geelong (CoGG) manages the Drysdale Landfill site (aka the Drysdale tip!) and called this public meeting.

People at the meeting agreed that local people should be able to have their say about the landfill site through formal and informal channels – regular meetings of a formal Consultation Group and informal occasions when people can talk to Council staff about waste related issues. Occasionally, guests could be invited to discuss how the Drysdale site fits into broader waste management issues, such as:

·      the Barwon South West Regional Resource Recovery group, which produces a rolling Plan that informs operations at local landfill sites between Portland and Geelong

·      the Regional Waste Forum and its Reference Group.

CoGG manages the site and, as such, will take decisions about it. The role of the Community Consultation Group will be to inform the council’s decisions. It remains to be seen just what influence the Community Consultation Group can have.

Making developments consistent

On 29 February 2016, the Drysdale & Clifton Springs Community Association (DCSCA) made a submission to the Victorian government's Advisory Committee on Managing Residential Development.

The DCSCA submission consisted of 13 recommendations designed to increase:

* the  efficiency and consistency of residential development and of the planning process in general

* the attractiveness of new residential developments to existing and incoming residents

* the protection of the natural and built environment, for the benefit of  current and future generations.

Background to the Committee’s work

In July 2013, the State Government announced that it would replace the existing residential zones (Residential 1, 2 and 3) in all Victorian planning schemes with three new residential zones:

• Neighbourhood Residential Zone
• General Residential Zone
• Residential Growth Zone.

The State Government asked each local council to say by 1 July 2014 how it would apply the new zones in its planning scheme. If a council didn’t respond by the deadline, all of its residential land would be declared a General Residential Zone by default. On July 1 2014, the State Government introduced the three new zones. In the process, residential land was zoned “General Residential” by default in a ‘considerable portion’ of Victoria’s planning schemes.

Councils have applied the three new zones inconsistently, with much local variation. Consequently, in February 2014, the State Government established the Residential Zones Standing Advisory Committee to advise local councils how to apply the three new zones. The Committee produced a general report on the zones’ application, plus 25 specific reports in response to 25 proposals.

Purposes of the Committee

1.   To consider the process by which the new residential zones were implemented

2.   To review the current application of the zones that allow for residential development in the context of managing Melbourne’s and Victoria’s residential growth in a sustainable manner and improving housing affordability

3.   To advise on the level of evidence and justification needed when preparing relevant planning scheme amendments

4.   To recommend improvements to the residential zones

5.   To provide councils, the community and industry with an opportunity to be heard.

DCSCA's SUBMISSION

The Drysdale & Clifton Springs Community Association Inc. (DCSCA) has had extensive experience of the management of residential development in the local area, which it believes will assist the Advisory Committee in its work. It has distilled its experiences into this submission, which consists of thirteen recommendations.

Recommendations

1. Each Australian state government should have a public document outlining its vision for a sustainable state; and the Federal Government should have an equivalent document outlining its vision for a sustainable Australia.

These documents should address issues including demography, transport infrastructure, land allocation, water management, power generation and distribution and communication services.

2. Require developers of new residential areas to provide services in the first stages of its development, rather than providing them as development proceeds.

Such services include, e.g., education, health, sports, recreation, Emergency Services, public transport, shopping and community spaces.

 

3. Require the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning to consult pro-actively with the appropriate organisations and groups when considering any changes to residential development and re-zoning and respond in detail to each comment made in those consultations.

Such organisations and groups include, e.g., the EPA, Emergency Services, the CFA, the Education Department, Worksafe, VicRoads, the TAC, water and power suppliers, local indigenous groups, public transport operators and user groups, local recreational, sporting, environmental and community groups.

4. Require the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning to encourage new developments to be environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Features contributing to environmentally friendly and sustainable development include significant open space; scenic trails, footpaths and cycle paths separated from traffic; existing significant trees and wildlife corridors, plus control of invasive species and vermin; protecting water courses from extra/polluted runoff; mandatory solar panels and water tanks at each property.

5. Require the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning to devise and implement a standardised procedure (e.g. a designated computer programme) for assessing any planning applications; and require each local council in Victoria to implement this procedure.

This will help to ensure that councils assess planning applications consistently.

6. Require developers of new residential areas to provide footpaths and cycle paths (ideally separated from road traffic) as a high priority; and to avoid compromising any existing cycling infrastructure.

7. Review the planning requirements for service stations containing hazardous materials and discontinue the “3,000m² exemption rule” applied currently to the petroleum industry.

As the internal combustion engine declines and disappears, so too will petrol stations, many leaving ugly, toxic sites that will be expensive to clean up. Planning policies should prepare for this.

8. Require each local council to give an Environmental Classification to each planning application it receives.

The classifications would be based on specific criteria, e.g., storage of hazardous materials; proximity to a water course, dam or coastal high water line; demonstrable risk to groundwater, flora or fauna. Suggested Environmental Classifications:

            “Low” - meets none of the specific criteria

            “Sensitive” – meets one of the specific criteria

            “Highly Sensitive” – meets two or more of the specific criteria.

9. Require the EPA to assess all “Sensitive” or “Highly Sensitive” planning applications; and approve such applications only with EPA approval.

10. Require an applicant who receives EPA approval for a “Sensitive” or “Highly sensitive” application to do no work on the site until the EPA and the council approves a Site Environment Management Plan (SEMP) for the site.

 

11. Amend the Planning and Environment Act 1987 Section 52 Notice of Application to require additional notification to specified bodies when a planning application is contentious.

Examples of contention include potential inconsistency with local planning policy and/or potentially increased risks to groundwater, flora, fauna and people. Risks include storage of hazardous materials; proximity to a water course, dam or coastal high water line; proximity to a major intersection, an area of congestion or a school.

Information about a planning application should be sent to the owner/s and the resident/s of the nearby properties; signage giving that information should reflect the significance of the application; and signage should be displayed until the application is approved/rejected, when the sign should be amended to include the decision.

12. Amend the opening paragraph of the Victorian Planning Provision Clause 65 General Provisions Decision Guidelines to read: “Because a permit can be granted does not imply that a permit should or will be granted.”; and require the responsible authority to list on its signage about an application any relevant local and state planning policies.

13. Require each council to provide on its website information that is easily accessible by the community about each planning application, its environmental classification and its status (approved/rejected); and to leave this information on its website for 10 years after an application has been approved/rejected.

DCSCA meets Cllr. John Doull (5)

On 12 May, DCSCA Committee members met Councillor John Doull at City Hall. This was the fifth of the quarterly meetings that DCSCA has initiated with the two City of Greater Geelong (CoGG) Councillors whose wards coincide with DCSCA's area - the other is Councillor Rod Macdonald.
It was a very busy and productive meeting!

Roadside council notice boards
First, we raised the issue of the lack of roadside council 'welcome/what's on' notice boards on which to advertise events in our towns. These can be seen in towns elsewhere on the Bellarine, but not in ours. Cllr. Doull said that money was available for this from last year's budget and that he would talk to Cllr. Macdonald about each of them funding signs in their respective wards.

A swimming pool in Drysdale & Clifton SpringsWe said that there is clear - and growing - demand for a swimming pool in Drysdale & Clifton Springs, not least because the Ocean Grove pool is over-subscribed. However, there are no plans for a pool in the regional sports/recreation 'hub' at the junction of Andersons Road and Grubb Road in Drysdale. We suggested out that this is an issue facing people not just in Drysdale & Clifton Springs but along the North Bellarine, especially because of the uncertain future of the pool in Portarlington. We emphasised that although the council has no plans for a opool and despite council officers saying that the case for providing one was weak, DCSCA would persist in raising the matter, because of the strong local feeling about it. Cllr. Doull promised to raise the matter with Mr. Dean Frost (CoGG's Manager of Projects, Recreation & Central Gelong) and to invite him to talk about it at our next quarterly meeting.

Local economic development
DCSCA is suggesting that CoGG builds on the success of the 2011 Festival of Glass and uses the build-up to the 2012 Festival to announce a local business support program (e.g. advice and mentoring, assistance to explore new markets, rates relief) for small art and craft business on the Bellarine. That program could link with the 'Made in Geelong' initiative, which offers small businesses short-term leases on empty shops in central Geelong, enabling small art and craft businesses on the Bellarine - individually or in partnerships - to test their economic viability in a town center. We invited Cllr. Doull to support the proposal and he said that he would discuss it with Mr. Terry Demeo (CoGG's Manager of Planning Strategy and Economic Development), Ms. Kaz Paton (CoGG's Manager of Arts and Culture) and Mr. Steve Bentley (CoGG's Manager of Events, Central Geelong & Waterfront) and get back to us.

Then, we outlined DCSCA's argument that CoGG should build on the growing local concern about rising sea levels to develop the Bellarine Peninsula as a demonstration of a post-carbon economy. Cllr. Doull outlined Future Proofing Geelong - a strategy to develop Geelong in enironmentally sustainable ways - that includes a plan for low-carbon growth. (Future Proofing Geelong is launched today, May 12 2011.) Future Proofing Geelong is to have three 'reference groups' - 'Major Enterprises', 'Small & Medium Enterprises' and 'Community'. Major enterprises in Geelong have been involved in developing Future Proofing Geelong and the other two reference groups will be established in June 2011. Cllr. Doull suggested that we contact Ms Samantha Smith (CoGG's Co-ordinator, Future Proofing Geelong) to ask about becoming involved in the 'Community' reference group. Finally, we suggested that Geelong could use its role as host of the forthcoming Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia conference to showcase some initiatives around local business support and a post-carbon economy. Cllr. Doull said that he would outline Future Proofing Geelong to that conference and that as Cllr. Rod Macdonald was leading preparations for the conference, we should approach him about our possible involvement.

Site-specific issues
Next, we discussed a series of issues specific to particular areas in our towns. We discussed the uncertainty around whether there would be an official 'launch' at The Dell of the new signage and the new lookout and we said that we would investigate further. Cllr. Doull suggested that we ask Mr. Mark Gallon (CoGG's Manager of Strategic Projects) about the possibility of releasing potable mineral springs water at The Dell by targeted drilling, associated with building another groin to protect the foreshore.

This led to a discussion of the development of a Masterplan for Beacon Point Reserve in Clifton Springs, for which $20,000 has been allocated in the council's 2011/12 budget. Cllr. Doull said that he wanted to see the area kept as a 'wild' place, identified clearly as a Reserve, with the addition of maybe a toilet block, a community meeting place and, perhaps, some appropriate sculpture. We said that DCSCA welcomed the proposal, which reinforces DCSCA's Open Space Network, which we launched last year to protect our remaining open spaces from development. Beacon Point Reserve is one of the nine open spaces in the Network, which we want to see linked by walking/cycling tracks. As a first step, we are seeking grant funding for a Northern Bike Trail (Drysdale Station, to the town centre, to the Recreation Reserve [Market area], to McLeods Waterholes, to Griggs Creek, to the Bay, to the Boat Ramp, to Drysdale station). Cllr. Doull applauded our initiative, advised us to ensure that major road crossings wouldn't be a problem and said that he would be happy to provide us with a letter of support to use in our fund-raising.

Finally, we raised two issues concerning the Springs Street area of Clifton Springs - another site in DCSCA's Open Space Network. First, CoGG recently employed a contractor to spray systemic weedkiller along the water course, with the result that the banks now feature matted dead vegetation. While this may be acceptable action in a drain, local residents have argued strongly that they regard the 'drain' as a water course, i.e. a potentially attractive feature of the area and DCSCA actively supports their view. Second, a new wall has been built between the Bowling Club and an adjacent property with the aim - as we understand it - 0f protecting that property if the Club's new dam is breached. Between the new dam and the new wall lies the Springs Street land - flood-prone already and apparently in danger of further floods from the Club's new dam. We argued that both the spraying and the new wall were ewvidence that the land is unsuitable for 'development' and should be rezoned - in accordance with local people's wishes - as 'Open Space'. Cllr. Doull said that he would talk to CoGG engineers about both issues and get back to us.

DCSCA's next quarterly meeting with Cllr. Doull will be on Thursday 4 August 2011. Any residents of the Drysdale/Clifton Springs area are welcome to ask DCSCA to raise any issue of concern with Cllr. Doull.

Council budget - a mixed bag

For people in Drysdale & Clifton Springs, the City of Greater Geelong's proposed 2011-12 budget represents a mixed bag.

The budget includes several good news items. It allocates funds to construct the first phase of the Lake Lorne walking track, to develop a Masterplan for a Beacon Point Reserve and to design a Bellarine Lookout. Each of these three sites is in the Open Spaces Network that DCSCA launched last year to protect our towns' dwindling open spaces, so these budget commitments are very welcome.

In the three years since DCSCA first proposed that a walking track be constructed around the perimeter of the Lake Lorne reserve, the original idea has been developed into a major upgrade of the facilities. The development of the original idea has featured extensive and effective consultation with local groups, individuals and organisations and DCSCA looks forward to a similar approach being taken to the development of a Masterplan for a Beacon Point Reserve and to the design of a Bellarine Lookout.

Good news for young people and for the environment
DCSCA is also pleased to see the budget supporting youth activities across the Bellarine, with $15,000 for the Bellarine Youth Action Team and $25,000 for the youth-run annual 'Spudfest' music event. Further good news is the $20,000 allocated to environment projects supported by the Bellarine Catchment Network. The budget also commits funds to a new netball court and lighting at Drysdale Reserve and to the further development of Drysdale's Potato Shed, including a grant of $12,500 to the Potato Shed's annual Family Fun Day.

No news on local economic development
The negative side of the budget is its silence on local economic development. DCSCA was interested to see whether the budget would address the council's continuing failure to plan for the Bellarine's economic development alongside the expansion of its population. DCSCA would like to see a greater diversity of local jobs - especially for young people - so that the expanding population can choose to work on the Bellarine or commute elsewhere.

The budget commits $25,000 to supporting industrial investment and $35,000 to supporting manufacturing, but doesn't specify where it will be spent. Recent history suggests that it won't be spent on the Bellarine. Further, the budget commits $180,00 to the council's sustainability project, Future Proofing Geelong, which includes a plan for low carbon growth in the Geelong region. (Future Proofing Geelong is launched officially today, 12 May 2011.) However, it isn't clear what this will mean in practice. The council refuses to promote a low carbon economy even on the Bellarine, let alone throughout the region.

DCSCA has argued consistently that the Bellarine could become a demonstration site of a low carbon economy, featuring cutting edge technologies and creating new high tech, high wage jobs. This would give the region's rapidly-expanding population real choices over whether they would like to work locally or elsewhere. It would prevent our towns becoming just dormitories for Geelong and Melbourne which, in the absence of good public transport, would mean continuing increases in commuter traffic on already-inadequate roads. Finally, developing the Bellarine as a demonstration site of a low carbon economy would attract visitors keen to 'see tomorrow's economy today', boosting tourism and its associated employment.

A chance to seize the day?
Geelong will host the 2011 Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA) conference later this year and the budget includes $35,000 to pay the cost of it. The council could use that conference to showcase Future Proofing Geelong and, in that context, to announce its plans for a low carbon demonstration project on the Bellarine. Local councillors Doull and Macdonald could seize the initiative and ensure that the council applies the same sort of innovative thinking to the economic development of the Bellarine that it so proudly proclaims is being applied to the development of Amstrong Creek. They would certainly have major local support if they did.

School students sustaining The Dell

A hundred Clifton Springs Primary School students will celebrate the natural and cultural history of The Dell at Clifton Springs at an Environment Day on Friday October 16.

The students will join teachers, parents and local community groups in an ongoing project to protect and improve the area and hands-on activities will introduce them to its plants, animals and history.

The Dell Environment Day will also celebrate the launch of a new and innovative booklet about the area - Clifton Springs and Curlewis Coastal Reserves: flora, fauna and heritage.

Four years’ work

The 2015 Environment Day is the culmination of four years’ work by local community groups, environmental groups and schools to protect and enhance the indigenous vegetation of The Dell, Beacon Point and the Clifton Springs foreshore.

The four year project has included:

·      involving the local community - especially primary school students – in protecting and enhancing the area by informing them about its environmental and cultural/historical importance

·      clearing invasive weeds and woody plants

·      revegetating the area with indigenous plants that are local to the area and not found elsewhere on the Bellarine Peninsula

·      creating a plan to protect and enhance the area’s indigenous vegetation.

The Dell Environment Day is organised by the Drysdale and Clifton Springs Community Association and the Bellarine Catchment Network, supported by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, Bellarine Landcare Group and the City of Greater Geelong.

The Federal Government’s Caring For Our Country Community Grants programme has funded The Dell Environment Day and the associated revegetation of the area.

The organisers of The Dell Environment Day are pleased to acknowledge the Wadawurung people, the traditional custodians of the Land that includes The Dell, pay respect to the past and present Elders of the Wadawurung nation and extend that respect to other Indigenous Australians who are present.

MORE INFORMATION:

Matt Crawley, Bellarine Catchment Network: 0417 231 853

Doug Carson, Drysdale and Clifton Springs Community Association: 0418 371 308

Minister supports DCSCA over legal bill

Lisa Neville, state Member of Bellarine and Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water, publicly called on Milemaker Petroleum to relieve DCSCA of the $5,500 in Milemaker's legal costs that the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has ordered it to pay.

The VCAT order followed its rejection of DCSCA's request to overturn planning permission for a new Milemaker service station in Drysdale. (See "VCAT orders DCSCA to pay $5,500 legal bill", 3 September 2015 on this blog.)

Ms Neville's call came in a speech to the Victorian state parliament on 20 August 2015.

Her speech reinforced remarks about the case made by Victorian Attorney-General Martin Pakula two days before. An article in The Age newspaper (18 August) about DCSCA's position included the following:
"(Mr. Pakula) said while Milemaker Petroleum now had the right to recover costs from the Drysdale and Clifton Springs Community Association, 'it could decide not to. I would encourage the respondent to consider its relationship with the local community in making that decision'."

Lisa Neville

Ms Neville's statement follows.
-->

This morning I call on Caltex Franchisee, Milemaker Petroleum, as a show of good will to the people of Drysdale, to waive the $5,500 in legal costs recently awarded against the Drysdale Clifton Springs Community Association.

The Drysdale and Clifton Springs Community Association is a very much respected volunteer led organisation that works tirelessly in representing the views and concerns of local residents.

In doing this, the Association in January 2014 lodged a submission opposing the proposed Milemaker service station with the City of Greater Geelong. Like many other local submissions, the Association argued that the site was an inappropriate location and zoned Rural Living. As Local Member I also provided my full support to this reasonable position, as did a petition of more than 400 hundred people.

However, COGG approved the application and the association then appealed the decision to VCAT. The appeal was dismissed on the grounds it was lodged late. Milemaker applied for legal costs, which was awarded by VCAT to the tune of $5,500.

This is a very substantial amount for any voluntary association and there is genuine fear that if these funds cannot be raised by the community, the Drysdale Clifton Springs Community Association will fold. That would be a devastating effect on the individuals involved and of course the wider community.

I therefore reiterate my call on Milemaker, as a show of good will, to waive this cost and begin the important process of building bridges with locals and in doing so becoming part of the wonderful community that Drysdale is.

Media interest in DCSCA's legal bill

DCSCA's media release about the decision by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)to award $5,500 in legal costs against it generated widespread media interest.

The service station being built

VCAT has ordered DCSCA to pay $5,500 in legal costs to Caltex franchisee Milemaker Petroleum by 7 December 2015. Milemaker Petroleum had asked VCAT for $26,000 in legal costs. It is building a service station at the junction of Jetty Road and High Street, Drysdale, having received planning permission by the City of Greater Geelong council.

The media release (posted on this blog on 3 September 2015) led to appearances on radio stations BayFM and ABC3LO, together with articles in The Age, the Geelong Advertiser, the Independent and the Bellarine Times.

All the coverage was sympathetic to DCSCA's position and journalists asked to be told of any future developments.

VCAT orders DCSCA to pay $5,500 legal bill

-->

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has ordered the Drysdale & Clifton Springs Community Association (DCSCA) to pay $5,500 in legal costs to Caltex franchisee Milemaker Petroleum by 7 December 2015.

The service station being built

Milemaker Petroleum had asked VCAT for $26,000 in legal costs. It is building a service station at the junction of Jetty Road and High Street, Drysdale, having received planning permission by the City of Greater Geelong council.

DCSCA's case

DCSCA had asked VCAT to overturn Milemaker’s planning permission for two reasons.

First, the association argued that the council had ignored local opposition to the proposal. When the council invited public comment on Milemaker’s proposal in January 2014, every submission opposed it, arguing that a service station was inappropriate at that location, which is zoned Rural Living. Prior to the VCAT hearing in May 2015, more than 400 people signed a DCSCA petition opposing the service station, most saying that they hadn’t heard of it.

Second, the association argued that planning permission for the service station was inconsistent with the council’s refusal of planning permission for a child care centre in the same Rural Living zone, deeming a commercial development inappropriate.

The site as it was

At the VCAT hearing, the association wasn’t allowed to put its case. Milemaker’s lawyers argued that the association’s application should be dismissed, as it had been submitted after the due date for such applications. The chair of the hearing agreed, dismissed the application and invited Milemaker to apply for its legal costs.

DCSCA's costs alternative gains wide support

DCSCA asked VCAT not to award legal costs against it and, instead, to make each side pay its own costs. The request received widespread support, including representatives from each level of government: local federal MPs Richard Marles and Sarah Henderson, local state MP and Environment Minister Lisa Neville and local councillor Rod Macdonald. Support also came from local community groups, including the Bellarine Catchment Network, Bike Safe and the Clifton Springs Tennis Club.

Further, an online petition (organised independently of DCSCA) asking VCAT not to make DCSCA pay Milemaker’s legal costs has gathered 349 signatures.

Nonetheless, VCAT ordered the community association to pay Milemaker $5,500 in legal costs.

The association plans to ask Milemaker to write off the $5,500 as a gesture of good will to the local community.

A service station at Jetty Road roundabout: the case against

-->

Next week, the Drysdale & Clifton Springs Community Association (DCSCA) will ask VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) to overturn the City of Greater Geelong's decision to approve a service station at the junction of Jetty Road and High Street, Drysdale.

What follows is DCSCA's formal 'Statement of Grounds Summary' to VCAT.

On behalf of the members of the Drysdale Clifton Springs Community Association (DCSCA) and residents of Drysdale Clifton Springs, DCSCA has compiled the following Statement of Grounds Summary:

1. Notification Process

DCSCA believes that residents along the nearby designated watercourse (Scarborough Creek), and most of the population of the Bellarine, would consider that they would be materially affected by this development.  The City of Greater Geelong (CoGG) did not take “reasonable measures” to comply with Section 52, thus denying these residents the opportunity to comment.

2. Hearing Panel Process

This did not address the concerns raised by the community.

3. The officer’s report (on which the approval of the application was granted)

This contained errors, omissions, outdated, conflicting and misleading information, unsubstantiated opinion and failed to direct the hearing panel to the correct Decision Guidelines as required by State Planning Policy Framework. A crucial summary item presented to the Hearing Panel was inconsistent with statements under Assessment Local Policy Framework within the report.

4. The assessment process

This was flawed – priority was not given to the criteria specified under Clause 65 (Decision Guidelines): -

• The application fails to respond to Clause 11.05-3 (Rural Productivity), Clause 21.07-5 (Rural Areas) Clause 21.14 (The Bellarine Peninsula), Clause 22.04 (Discretionary uses in Rural Living and Low Density Residential Areas) and Clause 35.03 (Rural Living Zone).

• The proposal is not consistent with the Drysdale Clifton Springs Structure Plan 2010, which identifies the site and surrounds should be maintained as a rural residential character.

• The proposal fails to meet the criteria Clause 17.01.1 (Economic Development – Business) in that it presents no evidence that it needs to be at this location and not at another location on the highway that is consistent with the DCS Structure Plan.

• The proposal is not consistent with Clause 18.01 (Transport System) in that it does not provide an amenity that is lacking on the transport route and will increase traffic congestion and will significantly compromise the safety of cyclists.

• The proposal is not consistent with the purpose of Clause 35.03 (Rural Living Zone) or its decision guidelines. The proposal seeks to introduce a commercial development, which is at odds with the rural residential character of the area. Furthermore, the proposed use is not associated with a residential or agricultural use.

• The application does not satisfactorily respond to Clause 65 (Decision Guidelines). An assessment against the required relevant decision guidelines would not support the application.

5. Traffic issues 

Serious safety concerns, congestion, danger to cyclists using the Principal Bicycle Network (PBN).

6. Environmental Issues – degradation to area, pollution, litter

• The application will have a negative impact on the nearby dam and associated watercourse contravening the State Environment Protection Policy (Groundwaters of Victoria).

• The application requires the installation of underground petroleum systems in an identified “sensitive site”.

• There is a long-term risk of a toxic site in a sensitive location close to a designated watercourse.

7. Reduced ambience and amenity

8. The City of Greater Geelong did not consider community opinion.