Council decides NOT to support Building & Construction Materials Recycling Plant at VCAT Hearing

Ballarat City Council voted NOT to support the Building and Construction Materials Recycling Centre application at the upcoming VCAT hearing.

The Council 7-1 vote approved the City of Ballarat Planning & Development Department's recommendation not to support the project. The report (compiled by Mr. Mukul Hatwal -
Team Leader Planning & Development) was presented to Council by Trevor McCullough, Director - Planning & Development.

South ward councillor Cheryl Bromfield was the only councillor to show support for the proposed development.

Mayor Judy Verlin was absent from the meeting due to her attendance at the inaugural Australian Council of Local Government conference in Canberra. The meeting was chaired by councillor Craig Fletcher in her absence.

We sincerely thank all of the Lake Gardens residents who attended the Council meeting. It was a clear demonstration that opposition to this development is strong and healthy!

This now means that Ballarat City Council will become an objector to the application at VCAT.

Lake Gardens 3355 Action Group are now focusing all our efforts and energies towards the July 13th Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) Hearing.

We will still be forging our own legal case at VCAT to oppose this development.

We cannot afford to become complacent. It's important to understand that the final decision as to whether this intrusive and inappropriate development goes ahead or not still lies entirely with VCAT and not Ballarat City Council.

Our fight is a long way from over! However, the Lake Gardens 3355 Action Group remains determined as ever to stop this development and, with only two weeks until the VCAT hearing, we are completely committed to continuing our opposition to this application on behalf of all of our supporters.

Residents who would like to attend the VCAT hearing are encouraged to do so. It commences at VCAT, 55 King Street, Melbourne on Monday 13 July at 10 a.m. and is scheduled to go for 5 days. The Daily Law List can be checked after 5p.m. each previous day to verify the case is proceeding. Go to www.vcat.vic.gov.au then “Daily Law List”, go down to “Planning & Environment List” and look for “Robert Hall & Associates & Ballarat C. C.”

A copy of the report presented to Council can be obtained from the following link:
http://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/library/scripts/objectifyMedia.aspx?file=pdf/83/41.pdf&siteID=1&str_title=24%20June%202009%20-%20Ordinary%20Council%20Meeting%20Agenda.pdf

Ballarat Courier Article Links:

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/angry-debate-in-council-over-recycling-centre/1550343.aspx

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/council-urged-not-to-support-recycling-centre/1547698.aspx

Council to make a decision on whether or not to support application for Materials Recycling Facility

Ballarat City Council has now placed the matter of the Materials Recycling Facility in Gregory Street West on their Council Meeting Agenda.

WHEN: Wednesday, 24th June

TIME: 7.00PM

WHERE: Town Hall
(cnr Sturt and Armstrong Street South, Ballarat)

At this meeting, Council will decide what position it will take at the July VCAT Final Hearing.
Lake Gardens 3355 Action Group have nominated a representative to put our case before the Council at the June 24th meeting.

We need support from all those who oppose the Recycling Facility application.

Please attend this Council meeting if you are able to do so.

WE HAVE TO BELIEVE IN PEOPLE POWER!