Fish motion dead in the water

AN attempt to stop Hallam property owners being hit with a $10 million bill required to protect a rare fish appears dead in the water.
A rescission motion lodged by Casey councillors Michael Farley and Paul Richardson at last Tuesday night’s council meeting did not even receive a seconder.
Cr Farley pulled his support of the motion at the last minute.
Heated words were exchanged between both councillors before they stepped outside council chambers to continue their discussions. The debate follows council’s recent decision to hit landholders along a section of O’Grady Road with a special charge scheme.
The fee is for the construction of a new $10 million road which needs to be moved from its original location to protect the endangered dwarf galaxias fish.
Cr Farley spoke to the News last month, saying he was sticking up for the affected residents.
However, he pulled out of the motion this week, saying Cr Richardson became involved in Springfield Ward matters without his consent.
“I lost all interest in anything he had to say last night,” Cr Farley said after the council meeting.
South Eastern Metropolitan MP Gordon Rich-Phillips has also expressed his disappointment over the special charge being imposed by Casey.
“What I think is most absurd is that even if the fish are no longer present in the drains due to the drought, they still cannot be disturbed as they may reappear later – which begs the question, just how rare are they?” he said.
“If this 4cm drain-dwelling fish is of such national importance then taxpayers Australia-wide should be sharing the cost, not just a few local businesses.”