Tuesday, 14 October 2025

 Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) presented a petition bearing 191 signatures:

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council the City of Casey’s decision to introduce new fees for certain activities on private, freehold land. Citizens living in the City of Casey are living in a cost of living crisis with many struggling to pay for electricity bills during a typical Melbourne summer and others facing high credit card bills after the Christmas festivities. They are now being slapped in the face as the Council has introduced new fees for certain activities on their private, freehold land. The fees will be charged and a permit required for activities such as storing or repairing a recreational vehicle or storing unregistered vehicles for up to 90 days. A permit will also be required for dismantling, repairing or servicing vehicles that are non-commercial. When families are required to make hard decisions like not using their family car or paying registration for that quarter or getting their family car serviced by dealers, the Council has placed even greater pressure by requiring families to fork out hundreds of dollars on new permits and fees for activities on their own property. Dysfunctional councils have plagued Victoria for some time and have required a higher level of government to intervene.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government and the Minster for Local Government to urgently advocate to the City of Casey, and all other local councils, to review fees and permits relating to personal land use and advocate that these councils withdraw any similar permit schemes.

Jeff BOURMAN: I move:

That the petition be taken into consideration on the next day of meeting.

Motion agreed to.