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Spread some warmth As the weather becomes colder, Uniting Vic.Tas is calling on residents in the northern and western suburbs to help out those most in need. The community services organisation has launched its Winter Blanket Appeal, with the aim of distributing as many blankets and doonas as possible to people experiencing homelessness or poverty. Uniting Vic.Tas is asking for donations of quality blankets from members of the public. You can also donate directly to the cause – just $29 is enough to buy a new blanket or doona for someone doing it tough. Uniting Vic.Tas general manager north and west Victoria, Annette Kelly-Egerton, said that with the end of JobKeeper and the JobSeeker payment being reduced, Uniting Vic.Tas was bracing for a surge in demand – including from people experiencing homelessness – this winter. Details: unitingvictas.org.au Financial donations can be made at: https://unitingblanketwyndham. gofundraise.com.au. Volunteers and case workers Melanie, Rachel, Lisa and Sue. (Joe Mastroianni) 236772_01
Council calls in lawyers By Oliver Lees Hume council will seek legal advice about applying for an injunction to prevent contracts relating to the disposal of West Gate Tunnel soil being signed before its legal challenge is heard. Last week councillors voted to ask council’s lawyers about applying for an injunction to prevent Transurban and Planning Minister Richard Wynne from signing contracts which would enable toxic soil to be dumped in Bulla. Following the approval of Hi-Quality’s planning scheme amendment in March by Mr Wynne, the builders of the West Gate Tunnel Project, CPB-John Holland, currently have the legal option to use Hi-Quality’s site on Sunbury Road to test and dispose of three million tonnes
of soil. The decision is the subject of a Supreme Court challenge by the council. A planning scheme amendment has also been approved for Maddingley Brown Coal’s site in Bacchus Marsh and Cleanaway’s site at Ravenhall. Transurban will have the final say on where the soil will be taken. Speaking at a meeting last week, councillor Jodi Jackson said that seeking further legal advice was an appropriate next step. “This motion is not asking council to seek an injunction,” Cr Jackson said. “It is only asking that council seek legal advice, in the same way that officers sought legal advice on the judicial review process.” Cr Jackson added that this would provide council with context into the injunctive
process, council’s prospects for success and the potential risks of taking such legal action. Cr Trevor Dance said council would be “neglectful” not to pursue all legal options. Cr Carly Moore also supported the motion, but said it was important to note the financial risk involved in the decision. “If the judicial review is unsuccessful, council may be liable for the losses suffered while the injunction is in place, which would likely run into the millions,” Cr Moore said. “All councillors need to be aware of the seriousness of these decisions and must consider the significant risks of this proposal for all Hume residents, and the long term viability of our council.” Also speaking in support of the motion, Cr
Naim Kurt said the original decision to explore a judicial review instead of an injunction came after receiving guidance from legal professionals. “We went through a number of different options as well, in regards to potentially seeking an injunction … challenging contracts, seeking a parliamentary intervention … and the one recommendation was … seeking a judicial review.” Monash University law professor Jeff Giddings told Star Weekly an injunction often entails a quick turnaround. “Injunctions are important in stopping things that can’t be undone, like knocking down a building or removing a tree,” Professor Giddings said. “They can also be hard to get.”
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