Objections ‘best left up to you’

By Paul Dunlop
RESIDENTS objecting to town planning applications have been told to use their own words.
Cardinia Shire councillor Doug Hamilton said last week the best way for people to influence a decision was not to sign a petition or form letter, but to lodge an individual submission.
Speaking after council received over 70 objections to an application for a new childcare centre in Pakenham, Cr Hamilton said he placed little importance on massproduced letters.
Holding a stack of individuallysigned photocopies up to the gallery, Cr Hamilton said he had read the first one he received and disregarded the rest.
The Port Ward representative said it was a different story if residents put their own thoughts on paper.
“If people take the time, I’ll read every one of them if they write their own,” Cr Hamilton said.
“I don’t think form letters are worth anything other to demonstrate there is a wellorganised committee (leading the objection).”