Transparency questioned after Mardan Road sale falls through

KOOROOMAN’S Rhonda and Warren Lester are questioning the lack of democratic transparency in South Gippsland after Shire councillors voted unanimously not to sell them a block of Mardan Road land they wished to use to establish a cattle underpass and safe tractor crossing point.

“It’s a bit funny everyone’s voting unanimously on everything and there are not many strong voices in there,” Warren said after Wednesday’s council meeting.

“They’re telling me they’re doing it all in a briefing session, so it’s really a board they’ve got in there, it’s not council,” he added.

Both Warren and Rhonda were disappointed with the lack of discussion or debate between councillors on the Mardan Road issue during the meeting and the apparent pre-determined nature of the vote.
Since the current South Gippsland councillors took office following a period of administration, there have been only two items voted on during council meetings that did not produce a unanimous outcome.

All councillors voted unanimously at February’s council meeting “to commence the statutory procedures to sell 630 Mardan Road Koorooman to the adjoining owners (the Lesters) for the purpose of construction of a cattle underpass”.

However, following a period of public consultation on the proposal to sell the land to the Lesters, council officers made a recommendation to councillors “that council does not proceed to sell 630 Mardan Road Koorooman for the purposes of a cattle underpass as it is possible for the proponent to install an underpass directly via their own property”.

The Lesters argue that while it is theoretically possible to build an underpass connecting their existing properties on either side of Mardan Road, that is impractical because the underpass would need to be excessively long.

At the July council meeting, Cr Jenni Keerie spoke prior to the public vote of councillors on the recommendation not to sell 630 Mardan Road for the purpose of a cattle underpass.

“Though not exactly what was hoped for by all parties, I believe the best outcome has been achieved for all concerned in this matter and that an alternative solution may have been identified,” Cr Keerie said on Wednesday, making it clear the vote’s outcome was already decided prior to a public show of hands by councillors.

Cr Keerie outlined her support for the new recommendation.

“This alternate solution reduces the safety issues of moving livestock across a busy road, addresses some of the risk to biosecurity, leaving access along the lane open for future opportunities, and also leaves the area of ‘Watson’s Park’ undisturbed for the animals established in this location,” she said.

As previously outlined in the Sentinel-Times, ‘Watson’s Park’ is a nickname bestowed on 630 Mardan Road in tribute to the late Gordon Watson who planted trees on the block after it was earlier purchased by council in 1909 to facilitate a road realignment.

As conceded in council documentation, the Lesters’ plans for a safe tractor crossing, with sufficient vision of approaching traffic in either direction, rely on them being able to purchase 630 Mardan Road.

While six objections to selling the block to allow the cattle underpass were received, with concerns expressed about loss of trees and wildlife in ‘Watson’s Park’, that was offset by 21 submissions in favour of selling 630 Mardan Road to the Lesters, with widespread concern expressed for the safety of the family, their stock and users of the road.

Had no objections been received, the statutory procedure to sell the land would likely have commenced as voted on by councillors in February, with the issue still having to go back before councillors for final determination.

While he maintained a calm demeanour, Warren expressed his disappointment with the decision, suggesting it may be too late when action is taken.

“We’ve got to continue doing what we’re doing until there’s an accident and they may revisit it,” he said.