By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Legal costs have been threatened against an Ocean Grove Park Association member trying to prevent development of a performance space in the park.
Christine Brooks said the she wanted the Ocean Grove Park Association to call a special general meeting on concerns the performance space would leave the committee with a heavy financial burden.
Ms Brooks said a number of members were unhappy their opinions had not been taken into account.
“Building this performance space involves the use of $150,000 of park funds and the financial burden of ongoing running costs.
The Independent reported in April that Ms Brooks was seeking the special general meeting.
“That special meeting has still not been convened,” she said.
“The committee engaged lawyers and wrote back to me saying my letter requesting the special meeting was invalid.
“The lawyer’s letter said that if I continued to prepare for a special general meeting I would run risk of being charged costs.
“They said my request was invalid because basically the committee holds all the power.”
Ms Brooks said other members were also “disappointed and dismayed” at the use of association funds for legal advice.
“I don’t know what it cost but barrister’s advice doesn’t come cheap, just to stymie a vote.”
Ms Brooks said she sent another request for a special general meeting this week, undersigned by members.
The request included proposals to amend the rules of the committee to restrict expenditure of $20,000 without general member support.
“We’re hoping the committee will see it’s better to avoid all this unpleasantness, will learn something from it and make sure members have a say in the future.”
Geelong council earlier voted to continue the proposed construction of the performances space in the park, allocating $200,000 toward the $1 million project.
