Bills up to $2.8m to drain pockets: Landowners battling council

By John Van Klaveren
LANDOWNERS in Lara’s Heales Rd industrial precinct are battling Geelong’s council over a $9 million special charge scheme.
Council wants to slug them up to $2.8 million for their contributions to the scheme for drainage works.
A report to councillors last week said the special charge scheme was the largest council had proposed.
The scheme would install an extended drainage system to service council’s Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct.
Council would contribute $2.5 million as a landowner but the other 12 property owners would have to pay the remaining $6.7 million.
L Bisinella Developments faces the biggest charge of almost $2.8 million.
Stephen and Margaret Renfrey are next with a bill of $1.3 million.
Council wants to charge earthmoving firm Harcom Pty Ltd $655,000, while a $456,000 bill would hit sawmilling business Tasco Australia.
Shell, with an LPG plant in McManus Rd, would have to pay $410,000.
A representative of one of the landowners, who asked not to be identified said owners were set to pay for a drainage scheme benefitting council most of all.
The council report said the drainage system was required for “public health” reasons.
Council deferred the scheme both times it was presented to councillors.
The first report to council in November 2011 made light reference to public health as the reason for the scheme.
A second report last week cited “removal of potential public health issues (that) may arise” due to flooding.
The report said the drainage scheme was a “key element” of the industrial precinct, which City of Greater Geelong had developed.
The large charges involved meant a usual six-month-interest-free period for special charge schemes would be withdrawn, the report said.
Landowners would be required to pay the full amount within a month of the scheme starting or face interest charges.
The report said property values would “likely increase” as a result of the scheme.
Council had reduced its own bill because part of its land was zoned farmland instead of industrial two, the report said.
A City spokesperson said council had received “a range of correspondence” on the proposed scheme.