2022
Incorporating
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
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Page 3
SHIRE CRIME SPIKE
Pages 16-21
Sport
FATAL COLLISION
EAGLES FOOTBALL
A TRUCK collided with a car near the intersection of Mount Buller Road and Mansfield-Woods Point Road at about 3pm on April 4. The driver died at the scene and the passenger was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. FULL STORY page 4. PHOTO: Trinity Knight
Planning power to Spring St MANSFIELD Shire Council, State Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish, and Independent Federal Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines, have all expressed strong concerns about the state government’s decision to remove the right for third parties to appeal renewable energy planning decisions to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said council strongly supports the ability of the community to have their say about planning decisions and third party appeal rights are an important part of this system. “Therefore, we vehemently oppose the removal of third
Council,, state and federal members oppose pp removal of right g to appeal pp BY SHAUN McMAHON smcmahon@ nemedia.com.au
party rights to appeal renewable energy decisions through VCAT,” said Cr Rabie. “There are requirements for local government to have long term strategic plans for development and for the environment. “When we make these plans, we listen to the community and make commitments in line with the community’s needs. “How can we fulfil these commitments and our com-
munity’s desire to protect our rural amenity when appeal rights are eroded in this way?” State Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish, was less than impressed with the decision. “This is one of the most arrogant and undemocratic decisions I have seen from this Labor Government,” said Ms McLeish. “Their plans to fast track approvals for renewable energy projects will lead to terrible decisions and wrong locations for these projects. “This arrogant Allan Labor Government has no concern about the impact on farmland, biodiversity, landscapes
and most importantly, the communities. “This decision will override the wishes of communities and ignore proper process. “We’ve seen this happening in other communities where planning applications have overridden community and council wishes. “If a 14-story apartment tower is planned next door, local communities and councils have to suck it up. “I’m greatly concerned that this government sounds more like a communist rule rather than one where people’s views are considered.” The change will come into
effect on April 1, and Independent Federal Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines has written to the state government expressing her dismay with its decision. “I’m listening to my communities, including people from Dederang and Meadow Creek, who are telling me about their genuine concerns about large-scale renewable energy projects proposed close to where they live,” Dr. Haines said. In her letter to the Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio and Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny, Dr. Haines expressed con-
cern that under the current system, there are not enough safeguards to ensure communities are heard and their issues acted upon by developers. “The state government is not listening to these concerns, and project developers are not consistently offering real benefits to regional communities expected to host these projects,” Dr. Haines said. “The removal of the right to appeal to VCAT will exacerbate this situation. “I am with my communities 100 per cent on this. ■ Continued page 8
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