Ratepayers rejected

Alex de Vos
Surf Coast Shire rejected late objections to an $1.8 million footpaths bill for ratepayers despite telling State Government it would extend the submission deadline.
Jan Juc’s Steve Burton said the late submissions could have given ratepayers the numbers to force the shire into abandoning the special charge scheme.
Mr Burton, who is leading objectors to the scheme, accused council of ignoring ratepayers.
He vowed to keep pushing for the shire to accept the submissions.
The Independent obtained a letter from the state’s Department of Planning and Community Development saying the shire had agreed to extend the submissions deadline.
The department said in the letter it had contacted the shire about concerns the process ran through the peak summer holiday period.
The letter said council had “indicated that it (would) accept late submissions as some property owners may have been away during this period”.
But council closed its submission period on January 5 after calling for submissions on November 29.
A council statement said the shire had received 881 submissions by January 5.
Council would have had to abandon the scheme if more than 50 per cent of affected residents objected. The objectors would have had the numbers with 934 submissions.
Mr Burton was furious the shire had rejected late submissions.
“Up until late last week people who had been away on holidays were ringing me saying they want to put in a submission but we were told the late submissions wouldn’t count,” he said.
“I know of 60 late objections but there may be more.”
Mr Burton said objectors had contacted the Local Government Minister and the Surf Coast mayor about the late submissions.
“We’re leaving no stone unturned because the council is certainly not listening to the community.”
In an emailed statement, council refused to comment on whether it would accept late submissions.
“Council chooses not to respond to the Independent on this occasion,” the statement said.
“However, the issues raised will be addressed through other forums, thus ensuring balanced and appropriate reporting of important community issues.”
Residents will have the chance to address council at an public hearing on the scheme this month.