Thread: Trouble brewing with the local Council

They've now re-written the website about 5 times and it seems a bit more realistic now.
When do you need a private land use permit


The following activities on private land require a permit.

• Use of a recreational vehicle, e.g. mini bike, motor scooter, go-kart, etc.
• Storing a shipping container (up to 90 days) in a residential area
  
• Storing long/heavy vehicles. For two or more long/heavy vehicles, contact our planning team.
  
• Storing more than two unregistered vehicles
• Use of a temporary dwelling (caravan, camper trailer, tent, etc.) for more than 14 days in any 60 day period

They created the issue but still refer to 'misinformation & confusion' as if they weren't involved !

It’s important to clarify that our residents do not need a permit to do minor maintenance on their car on private property, for example an oil change or belt change.

You also don't need a permit to park a caravan on your property.

There has been misinformation and confusion about the role and purpose of the Private Land Use Permit. We have made amendments to our website to make information about this permit clearer for our community.
The Private Land Use Permit is part of the Casey Community Local Law which aims to support the peace, health, safety, and wellbeing of our community.

A permit is only required in circumstances where the activity or use is detrimental to the amenity of the nearby area.
No permits have been required or issued by Council in relation to servicing vehicles on private property.

The City of Casey investigates 10,000 complaints from the community each year relating to local laws matters, including hoarding, heavy vehicles, unsightly properties or recreational vehicles like motorbikes or quad bikes.
Permits are a key tool for councils, not just the City of Casey, to ensure activities that may have a detrimental impact on those living nearby are suitably managed.




Still considering going to the first Council meeting this year.


Colin

Based on my experience of working with government here in the UK communication can be very hit and miss. Where they are for whatever reason not up front or economical with the facts the Internet fuelled rumour mill takes over and becomes the facts. It then becomes difficult to get the facts out as whatever is said is dissected to such a level nothing makes sense and the rumours continue to be the facts

Originally Posted by 3toes

Based on my experience of working with government here in the UK communication can be very hit and miss. Where they are for whatever reason not up front or economical with the facts the Internet fuelled rumour mill takes over and becomes the facts. It then becomes difficult to get the facts out as whatever is said is dissected to such a level nothing makes sense and the rumours continue to be the facts

This was very much that the 'facts' they put on their website were incorrect.

Can't service an RV on your property without a permit should have been can't use an RV on your property without a permit.
Can't have an unregistered vehicle on your property without a permit should have been can't have more than two unregistered vehicles without a permit.
And so on.

This is why a lot of locals got upset, it even made the TV news apparently.

It's now taken them five attempts at getting the website correct.
This is a new council as the previous council was sacked in 2020, they're not making a good impression so far.......



Colin

And a YouTube channel that gets regular updates.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

And a YouTube channel that gets regular updates.

Thanks Ian, I hadn't looked for City of Casey on YouTube.
It seems that their misinformation has generated a lot of discussions !

Next meeting is 18th Feb at 6pm, I'll have to pose a question in advance, just need to think carefully about the wording
Meetings are live streamed via their Facebook page.

Colin

Originally Posted by gromit

Thanks Ian, I hadn't looked for City of Casey on YouTube.
It seems that their misinformation has generated a lot of discussions !

Next meeting is 18th Feb at 6pm, I'll have to pose a question in advance, just need to think carefully about the wording
Meetings are live streamed via their Facebook page.

Colin

There are a number of youtubers posting about it. Some aren't complimentary. Musk says that WE are the media now, and maybe he has a point. I'm tipping Casey know about this and are hoping this will just go away, but if they're like some other councils they may double down. This is what happens when people don't pay attention to local politics, and therefore just donkey vote. I'm guilty of that.

Can't link to the YT vids I have seen as I can't vouch for their suitability for this forum.

Seems that the dust has settled.

The Casey Residents & Ratepayers Association met with the Council last week.

The Council acknowledged past website inaccuracies but didn't make any form of apology.
If someone in Industry put up information on their company website that was incorrect and caused hundreds of customers to phone and complain they'd potentially lose their job, but if you're a Council employee........

The council stated that permits are only issued in response to complaints and that there is no proactive enforcement or surveillance.

Maybe I won't waste my time attending the next Council meeting but I might watch it online.

Colin

Originally Posted by gromit

...............

If someone in Industry put up information on their company website that was incorrect and caused hundreds of customers to phone and complain they'd potentially lose their job, but if you're a Council employee........

There is a solution known as 'diagonal promotion' which might involve another, different (lucky?) council or a different department in the same municipality.

......The council stated that permits are only issued in response to complaints and that there is no proactive enforcement or surveillance. ............. Colin

IME, in a municipality not far from here, an astute citizen knows it is far easier to seek (on a needs only basis) and be granted forgiveness than it is to seek permission. Really astute citizens are on first name terms with senior bureaucrats and provide emergency rations to them in local restaurants, usually owned by other astute citizens.

DL