By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
AN ACRIMONIOUS dispute between the developer of an $80 million residential golf estate and the owners of a flower farm threatens 15 jobs.
The dispute, which has reached the Supreme Court of Victoria, could lead to the closure of Geelong Flower Farm, affecting four full-time and 11 part-time staff.
The claims and counter-claims include allegations of assault, bad blood and legal wrangling dating back more than a year.
The dispute has widened to include legal actions in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) and Geelong Magistrates Court as well as the Supreme Court writ.
Court documents say Geelong Flower Farm has been operating on its site on the Bellarine Hwy, Moolap, for 15 years, with Bellarine Lakes Country Club developing behind. The the main dispute is over access to the battle-axe shaped Bellarine Lakes site.
In the VCAT action Bellarine Lakes claims Geelong Flower Farm is operating illegally because flowers it sells are grown elswehere. Bellarine Lakes has petitioned VCAT for an order to withdraw the farm’s operating permit.
Geelong Magistrates Court heard a fencing dispute between the parties this week, with arguments over an easement to be heard in the Supreme Court on Thursday.
Barrister Daniel Aghion, for Bellarine Lakes, told the magistrates court of “immense bad blood between the parties”.
Barrister Andrew Meagher, for Geelong Flower Farm, said his client objected to Bellarine Lakes building fences between the properties.
After negotiations Geelong Flower Farm conceded to a fence on the southern boundary but continued to dispute fencing on the northern boundary.
