By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A FUND-RAISING appeal will seek to cover the legal costs of a community group that lost its bid to stop a service station development at Dyrsdale.
Drysdale Clifton Springs Community Association must pay Caltex franchisee Milemaker Petroleum $5500 by 7 December after losing an appeal at Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
The tribunal ordered costs against the not-for-profit association, which had fought Milemaker’s planning permit to build on Jetty Rd, near the twin towns’ main roundabout.
Secretary Neil McGuinness said both DCSCA and Victorian Environment Minister and Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville wrote to Milemaker, asking it to waive the costs as a gesture of goodwill.
Mr McGuiness said Milemaker failed to respond.
“We accept VCAT’s ruling and we’re resolved to comply with our obligation but we do not have the funds and have launched an appeal.”
Mr McGuinness said the association had launched a drive for new members and donations, which should include contact details.
“Should Milemaker belatedly agree to waive the costs, DCSCA intends to return all donations and pledges.”
Mr McGuinness said the association hoped a public meeting begining 7pm Tuesday at SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre would help generate further interest in its plight.
“Even with the stress of the service station (appeal) DCSCA has had a productive year with significant progress on several ongoing projects,” he said.
“These include a bypass for Drysdale, a fishing jetty for Clifton Springs, funding for the Drysdale Sports Precinct, improvements to Lake Lorne and improved access to the Dell.”
Mr McGuiness said guest speaker, City of Greater Geelong senior engineer Ralph Roob, would provide further information on coastal management and Clifton Springs’s jetty.
