TonyK
CibbuanoBulldogs to blame for redevelopment crisis, says council
July 26th 2008 00:29
THE City of Maribyrnong says the Western Bulldogs were to blame for the Whitten Oval bungle.
The dispute was over the City of Maribyrnong's alleged refusal to issue a permit for the Victorian University to establish an education and training centre for 140 students and 45 teachers at the redeveloped Whitten Oval.
City of Maribyrnong Mayor Michelle MacDonald said allegations the council had refused to provide a planning permit for the proposal were false.
"For the sake of our community we want this project to occur. However, the Bulldogs organisation has bungled the management of the redevelopment," she said.
MacDonald said the council first learnt of the Victoria University proposal through rumours in early 2007 and that the Bulldogs did not lodge the necessary planning application until last April.
"The Bulldogs were well aware that in line with council's need to follow due process, including community consultation, we would not be able to make a decision on the application until this September," she said.
MacDonald also said the partnership between the two had been "shattered".
"It's council's responsibility to ensure this is done in the right location that doesn't adversely impact on our community."
"Three years ago we entered into an exciting partnership with the Bulldogs and the State Government.
"After this latest stunt by the Bulldogs administration, this partnership has now been shattered."
Bulldogs president David Smorgon said the club was forced to take action via the State Government to ensure the project would be completed otherwise they would have been on the brink of financial ruin.
"When the original town planning permit application was advertised in 2006, there was not one objection from the local community," Smorgon said.
"We are therefore puzzled as to why council would insist on such an extensive and protracted period of public consultation across the whole of the municipality, rather than in the immediate and surrounding area to which the development has effect.
"The only component of the redevelopment that became off-track was the prolonged and unnecessary use of process to delay the various approvals which has resulted in the State Government's intervention."
The dispute was over the City of Maribyrnong's alleged refusal to issue a permit for the Victorian University to establish an education and training centre for 140 students and 45 teachers at the redeveloped Whitten Oval.
City of Maribyrnong Mayor Michelle MacDonald said allegations the council had refused to provide a planning permit for the proposal were false.
"For the sake of our community we want this project to occur. However, the Bulldogs organisation has bungled the management of the redevelopment," she said.
MacDonald said the council first learnt of the Victoria University proposal through rumours in early 2007 and that the Bulldogs did not lodge the necessary planning application until last April.
"The Bulldogs were well aware that in line with council's need to follow due process, including community consultation, we would not be able to make a decision on the application until this September," she said.
MacDonald also said the partnership between the two had been "shattered".
"It's council's responsibility to ensure this is done in the right location that doesn't adversely impact on our community."
"Three years ago we entered into an exciting partnership with the Bulldogs and the State Government.
"After this latest stunt by the Bulldogs administration, this partnership has now been shattered."
Bulldogs president David Smorgon said the club was forced to take action via the State Government to ensure the project would be completed otherwise they would have been on the brink of financial ruin.
"When the original town planning permit application was advertised in 2006, there was not one objection from the local community," Smorgon said.
"We are therefore puzzled as to why council would insist on such an extensive and protracted period of public consultation across the whole of the municipality, rather than in the immediate and surrounding area to which the development has effect.
"The only component of the redevelopment that became off-track was the prolonged and unnecessary use of process to delay the various approvals which has resulted in the State Government's intervention."
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