The day a worm turned — or maybe it was a grizzly bear

"Even a worm will turn is an expression used to convey the message that even the meekest or most docile of creatures will retaliate or get revenge if pushed too far." en.m.wikipedia

The triumph of good over evil or action in the pursuit of the ideals of liberty, fraternity and equality or truth, justice and... Call it whatever you will, but a 'worm turned' at the recent Nillumbik Shire Council election following a large group of ratepayers banding together to get candidates whom they believed would better represent the interests of landholders if elected to council.

This group opened their own Nillumbik PALs - Pro Active Landowners Facebook page and it has been refreshing and encouraging to witness a community band together to overcome adversity. Adversity?

While there are probably other issues that caused dissatisfaction, I'm aware that a move by the former council to further control the use of private land through the introduction of proposed planning scheme amendments C81 and C101 caused this 'worm to turn' ... with due respect to the Nillumbik PALS, more a grizzly bear than worm.

And how did the 'worm turn'? Nillumbik Shire is comprised of seven Wards, with one councilor representing each Ward. Of the seven, five are now represented by councilors, being candidates supported by the Nillumbik PALs - Pro Active Landowners. The new Mayor and Deputy Mayor were supported by the Nillumbik PALs. And this from the Council Twitter account last Friday about the new Council .

What of the fate of the planning permit amendments that were the catalyst for the ratepayer backlash:

Photo by Nillumbik PALs - Pro Active Landowners

One incensed ratepayer who would be affected by proposed Amendment C101 appealed to VCAT. Here is the result of Parsons v Nillumbik SC [2016] VCAT 1898.

And this from the Council Twitter account last Friday confirming about the fate of C101.

Study Parsons v Nillumbik and draw your own conclusions. Suffice to pose the question, will senior council employees involved need to consider their positions?

Also in the mix is the abysmal manner in which the shire planning department, corporate CFA and VCAT have treated many dealing with the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) as part of planning permit applications.

I have first hand experience with the unnecessary and very costly difficulties or discouragements imposed on some people seeking to build on their land in Nillumbik Shire, and for no valid reason as far as wildfire protection is concerned.

Who knows what will be found if the new council decides to illuminate the darker recesses of the administration. Being intimately aware of some of the goings-on, to me "Watergate" does not seem an exaggeration.

I decided to post this as encouragement to others e.g. the people of Wye River-Separation Creek at the mercy of governments and insurers while trying to recover from the Christmas Day fire.

Nillumbik, an example of people power!

Again, I would welcome feedback.