War of words erupts after town meeting

By Melissa Grant
A WAR of words has erupted between a Cardinia Shire councillor and a developer following a Gembrook Township Committee meeting.
Councillor Ed Chatwin’s support of a motion trying to prevent those behind a $10 million development from discussing it during the meeting has outraged Capital Growth Partners business consultant Colin Parkes.
Mr Parkes described Cr Chatwin’s actions as bizarre and has fired off emails to mayor Bill Pearson requesting a mediation session and an apology.
In some emails, Mr Parkes also expressed concern about the conduct of the committee’s vice-president John Cascone who put up the motion.
Cr Chatwin (pictured) was quick to decline Mr Parkes’ request. He said no explanation was needed as it was wrong for a developer to use a community meeting to “promote” a project, according to community group committee rules.
Mr Cascone also declined, saying Mr Parkes should address his concerns in a letter to the township committee.
Former Gembrook Township Committee president Bob Farr invited people from Gembrook Views Estate, including Mr Parkes, to discuss the Over 55’s Gembrook Village development at the meeting.
The company advertised it as an opportunity for locals to “find out more” about the development.
Mr Farr said the meeting on Tuesday 14 April, where he stepped down as president, was a fiery one.
“The conduct of a couple of people at the meeting let a lot to be desired,” he said.
“One person was asked on two occasions to be seated.”
Cr Chatwin and Mr Cascone both said it was inappropriate for a developer to promote their product during a committee meeting and sought for Gembrook Views to present at the meeting’s conclusion.
The motion was defeated.
Mr Cascone said the meeting wasn’t hostile, as had been suggested.
“I just simply asked questions of what they had done – if they had permits and so on and then I objected,” he said.
“I felt it wasn’t their place for them to advertise it.”
Cr Chatwin said he supported Mr Cascone’s motion because he also believed it wasn’t right for the developer to use the meeting as a platform for promotion.
“I have nothing to explain to a developer,” he said.
But Mr Parkes said it wasn’t right for a councillor to support motions put up at community meetings.
“To vote against something that is already done and dusted and been through all the council hoops and hurdles is quite unique,” Mr Parkes said.
“To second a motion prevent someone from passing on information is extreme and you wonder where the motivation is coming from.”
Fellow Ranges Ward councillor Graeme Legge entered the meeting late and was finding a seat when the vote was being taken.
“I missed much, if not most, of the discussion,” he said.
“I was there when the vote was taken … I don’t vote at those occasions anyway.”
Cardinia Shire Council chief executive Garry McQuillan said the council wouldn’t pursue the issue any further.
“On the information that’s been provided, in my opinion there is no breach of the councillors code of conduct,” he said.