Thursday, 12 September 2024

 Brad BATTIN (Berwick) (18:15): (841) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Planning, and the action I am seeking is for the minister to come and meet with Mr Norman Dennis, a constituent of Berwick, to inspect his land in Clarinda and work with him on a path forward for him to sell his land. There is an urgent need for this land sale for Mr Dennis as his son suffers from dermatomyositis. This is an uncommon inflammatory disease marked by muscle weakness and a distinctive skin rash. The condition affects adults usually in their late 40s and early 60s. If it is not managed correctly, it can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, lung disease and cancer. There is no cure, but treatment can help the rash and help regain muscle strength and function. All Mr Dennis wants to do is sell his parcel of land and pay for his son’s intensive treatment. Mr Dennis is in his 80s and has experienced roadblock after roadblock from council and VCAT over a number of years when trying to sell it to many developers who have been trying to purchase the property. This could all be solved with the minister’s support, and when we have a man trying to sell the land to pay for his child’s medical treatment, we should be exploring all avenues to make this happen and not being roadblocks to stop it happening.