By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Residents are planning to link arms in mass protest against a proposed roundabout over their premium Berwick Springs estate’s landscaped gateway.
Organiser Michael Ball said he was hoping to attract 1000 protestors to form a human chain around trees on Berwick Springs Promenade at the 6 February rally.
The campaign against the roundabout’s siting on Greaves Road and the promenade has been backed by more than 1000 petition signatures, he said.
Meanwhile, Casey Council is investigating whether to classify Mr Ball as an “unreasonable complainant” over the issue.
Under this classification, Mr Ball would have his inquiries to Casey councillors and council officers redirected and vetted by the council’s legal manager.
Casey mayor Sam Aziz said Mr Ball could join the ranks of former Casey councillor and classified “unreasonable complainant” Paul Richardson.
Cr Aziz said Mr Ball’s long “threatening” and “bullying” emails were repetitive, created a “circus” and had “overstepped the line” in content and quantity.
“Despite giving him answers, council staff felt he was bullying them in a way that was unreasonable and made them nervous,” Cr Aziz said.
“I can handle anything but a number of our people get intimidated by his behaviour.”
The mayor denied having a say in the decision, which would be made by corporate services director Sheena Frost.
He claimed residents had complained they felt pressured by Mr Ball’s “bull at a gate” approach to sign the campaign petition.
Cr Aziz said he couldn’t support an estimated $4 million cost to Casey to re-site the roundabout north of the gateway.
“I don’t bow to political pressure even if there’s a political cost to me.”
Mr Ball said the council’s investigation showed it was trying to make the issue “personal” against him.
“I’ve been asking very hard questions on a very sensitive issue in the community and Casey Council has not been forthcoming with information.”
Mr Ball said the issue was causing Cr Aziz “political damage”.
“The fact is Cr Aziz has turned his back on the residents. His language is inappropriate – you can’t be calling people names in public on Facebook, not a man in his position.
“I’m happy to make a complaint against him for a breach of the (council’s) Code of Conduct.”
Mr Ball disputed Casey’s claim of an estimated $4 million bill to ratepayers for re-siting the roundabout.
He said according to a 2015 council agenda report that Casey would pay an estimated $1.2 million, with the remaining $3.8 million paid by VicRoads and Moremac.
