By Violet Li
A review of Casey’s controversial Local Law is estimated to fork out ratepayers more than $200,000, Council reveals.
A cost breakdown in the Casey Council April Meeting Agenda shows the biggest spending, which accounts for half of the entire cost, will be on community engagement activities, outreach efforts, and feedback analysis, including the development of a detailed engagement summary report.
Additionally, the review itself and the benchmarking components will cost around $40,000 to $50,000.
The benchmarking components may include, but are not limited to, a review of surrounding, growth, and metro Council’s Local Laws, clauses, explanatory notes, application of laws and enforcement activities.
Casey Council also lists out $6,500 for legal reviews and temporary employment costs of more than $60,000.
However, Council states that all the figures are estimates and are subject to change following the formal request for quote and procurement processes.
The cost also requires the endorsement of councillors in next Tuesday’s meeting to take effect.
In last month’s Council Meeting, a motion was passed to undertake a comprehensive review of the municipality’s controversial Local Law, particularly the private land use permits section.
The motion demanded an investigation of the private land use permit fees and charges, benchmarking and comparisons with other local government local laws, legal parameters the Council is required to follow, guidelines and protocols for the application and enforcement of local laws, and balancing property owners use and enjoyment of their land while protecting community amenity and safety.
According to the April Meeting Agenda, the review is expected to begin shortly after the Tuesday Meeting next week, subject to the endorsement of the council officer report.
The community consultation period is set to be between 21 April to 1 June, which lasts for 28 days and consists of an online survey, 12 in-person pop-up events (one in each ward), and four 60-minute meetings with relevant Council advisory groups or communities of interest.
During the review, private land use permit fees are suspended.
According to the Council, permit application online forms have been updated to reflect a $0 fee, specifically recreational vehicle permits, shipping container permits, long or heavy vehicle permits, unregistered vehicle permits, and temporary dwelling permits.
Casey’s Local Law, especially the private land use permits section, has caused a significant backlash in the community since the Christmas period last year. The community has described the permit law as “an overreach”. The current law includes permit payments when there are more than two unregistered vehicles on private land and when people use a recreational vehicle on their private land.
April Council Meeting will be held online on Tuesday 15 April at 6pm. Councillors will decide if the Local Law review scope, which includes the cost, will be approved.
