Hume council has commenced proceedings in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal(VCAT) in its efforts to curb the truck problem on Canterbury Avenue, Sunbury.
In a statement from mayor Jarrod Bell, he said the council has formed the view that the ongoing earth works at 370 Riddell Road being conducted are in contravention of the Hume Planning Scheme.
To address this, the council will be seeking both an interim enforcement order and enforcement order under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 at VCAT.
Council said VCAT has listed council’s application for the interim enforcement order for hearing in mid-October, and said they have asked VCAT for a hearing as soon as possible and stand ready to go to a moderated hearing if the tribunal is able.
Cr Bell said Hume council shares the community’s frustration.
“It is my belief that these residents are living through an issue no neighbourhood should have to endure,” he said.
“The ongoing negative impacts to community members’ physical, emotional and mental wellbeing as the result of truck movement is unacceptable.”
Cr Bell said that council has learnt important lessons about how they can better respond to issues like this in the future.
“We will also take these learnings to the state government so we can seek to change the legislation that prevents us from taking action against illegitimate activity in our city,” he said.
“We hope by doing this all councils will be given the power to act in these situations, which are unfortunately not an issue unique to Hume.
“We support the people of Canterbury Hills Estate and will not stop until a satisfactory resolution is achieved.”
This update follows the passed motion at the September 22 council meeting, which sought for quicker action on the issue to stop the movement of trucks along Canterbury Avenue, which council said was reaching more than 300 a day for the past number of months.
