BendigoWeekly www.bendigoweekly.com.au
issue 938 friday, october 16, 2015
cop that THE GREAT DIVIDE: Council has borne the costs associated with ongoing legal challenges and two public rallies, including this one in August, over the mosque. Photo: ANDREW PERRYMAN
exclusive
By peter kennedy
ONGOING protest actions and legal objections to a permit granted by the City of Greater Bendigo to allow construction of the city’s first mosque, have cost Bendigo ratepayers more than $150,000, with costs continuing to climb.
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Council’s costs top $150,000
Documents obtained under Freedom of Information show that council has accumulated a legal bill in excess of $124,581 as at the end of September, for legal fees associated with the planned mosque. A further $16,214 was spent on
resources such as crash barriers, traffic management, staff costs and associated security to deal with the protests that brought much of the city to a standstill on Saturday, August 29. While the documents provided pre-date last weekend’s repeat rallies
by supporters and opponents of the mosque, it’s likely up to $15,000 in costs were incurred as barriers were once again placed near the Town Hall and also in sections of Rosalind Park as part of a major police operation aimed at keeping locals
safe, and the opposing groups apart. Council’s legal expenses relate to dealing with two of Victoria’s most experienced legal firms specialising in the Local Government Act and the Planning and Environment Act – Russell Kennedy and Maddocks, and are continuing to mount as legal action instigated by Bendigo resident Julie Hoskin is still to be concluded.
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Council opts into refugee visa program – Page 5 ■ 60 page Property Guide inside
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