Council addresses Porepunkah Panthers' comments

The Club has applied for a planning permit for new clubrooms at the Porepunkah Reserve. 

Council Director Customer and Community, Helen Havercroft, clarified that Porepunkah Reserve falls under Crown land management, not Council jurisdiction. 

"Porepunkah Reserve is managed by a Committee of Management on behalf of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), and Council's role in this project is strictly limited to being the planning authority,” she said. 

The primary challenge facing the Club's application is the absence of consent from the landowner – DEECA - due to objections regarding the proposed location of the new building. 

"The suggested location of the new clubrooms extends beyond a property boundary, situated between DEECA and a Council managed road reserve," Ms Havercroft said.  

"While Council has expressed support for the proposed building, DEECA has advised that they cannot support a building spanning two boundaries and have not provided consent for the application to proceed with the building in its current location." 

Ms Havercroft said as the Responsible Authority for the planning permit application, Council officers must follow the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the various requirements of the Alpine Planning Scheme. 

“These requirements include written consent from the correct land manager, and it is Council’s view that this has not been provided, despite officers trying to assist the applicant and the Land Manager to resolve this matter,” she said. 

“In a meeting with Council, DEECA and Club representatives, DEECA suggested moving the building a small distance so it no longer crosses the boundary, or undertaking the process to realign the property boundary, which can take up to three years. 

“Due to the current location of the batting nets, and the timeframe for funding, the Club expressed no interest in going down either of these routes.” 

Ms Havercroft emphasised Council's ongoing support for the Club's initiative to build new clubrooms, and reassured the community that Council remains committed to finding a resolution.  

"In August of this year, we issued a letter of support to the Club commending the Porepunkah Panthers on its initiative to build a club house and the vital volunteer work it does for the community,” she said. 

“We will continue working to find a way forward and overcome the remaining challenges facing the Club in its ambition to deliver a great outcome for the Alpine Shire community.” 

Following the Porepunkah Panthers’ statement, Alpine Shire Mayor, John Forsyth, reaffirmed Council’s support for its Chief Executive Officer, Will Jeremy, and has taken a stance against public statements that target or wrongly accuse individual Council officers.  

“It is important that we maintain a constructive and collaborative working environment within the Council,” he said. 

“We reject any attempts to undermine the professional reputation of individual Council officers. 

"Public statements that target or wrongly accuse our officers hinder our ability to serve the community effectively.  

“We are committed to fostering an environment that encourages open dialogue, respectful communication, and collaboration."