Cr apologises for Officer ‘lapse’

COUNCILLOR Kate Lempriere has apologised to Officer residents for the “lapses” of past councils.
Cr Lempriere’s expression of regret came after the state planning tribunal found fault with Cardinia and Pakenham councils for not acting sooner to stamp out adhoc decision making at the Officer recreation reserve.
Tribunal member Peter O’Leary said council could have better managed its own property and provided clearer guidance about the future use of the land.
“If the council takes its roles and responsibilities seriously . . . it is not setting a good example and could hardly be put up as a model for other Victorian municipalities to follow,” Mr O’Leary said.
Cr Lempriere said council had taken the criticism on board.
“As a councillor I apologise for those lapses, I apologise for the last 10 years,” she said.
“I assure the community I will assist in every way possible to make it a really decent facility.”