Bass Coast Shire is a threat to the environment, Bass River and Westernport

 

Problems with Governments and their agencies are not confined to the State and Federal arenas.

We have been unable to obtain answers from Bass Coast Shire about breaches of planning permit conditions involving the clearance of native vegetation and siltation problems on land adjoining our property in Grantville. For years the land has been subject to a planning permit for sand extraction however no site activity has been conducted apart from illegal clearing along the river..

Vegetation clearing across the block, right down to Bass River was first notified to the Shire in May 2021 and again early in September 2021. We contacted the Shire office as well as local Councillor Clare Le Serve, President Brett Tessari and CEO Ali Wastie. Cr Le Serve responded on Sept 16 saying she did not know work had started but she would follow up with officers and fellow councillors. We received a phone call from a Shire Planner, a Mr Patrick Doyle on 15.11 seeking further information. We sent those details that day and contacted the Shire again on 27.11.2021.Mr Doyle advised that “if enforcement action is required, then there will be no further updates provided on the matter due to privacy considerations.” The Shire refuses to provide us with information on matters which affect our property, particularly that part which has regional significance and is protected by a covenant with the Trust for Nature.


At this time, We have not been informed of any action or even if Shire officers have inspected the site to make an assessment.

It appears that the Shire has ignored Government directives to incorporate into its Planning Scheme the Regional Sand Extraction Strategy, Lang Lang to Grantville. The strategy was completed in 1996 and endorsed by the State Government. Full flora and fauna surveys plus a baseline study of Bass River have been conducted and made available to the Shire. Neither Councillors nor staff seem to take roles seriously. 

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