Mayor hits out at state gas inquiry

City of Casey mayor Janet Halsall

By Kelly Yates
CASEY mayor Janet Halsall has launched a stinging attack on the State Government’s inquiry into the Brookland Greens fiasco.
Cr Halsall called for the State Government to set up an independent public inquiry chaired by a retired judge or someone in a similar position at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
The River Gum Ward councillor applauded the State Government’s decision to direct the Ombudsman to conduct an inquiry into the methane leak at the closed landfill, but said more needed to be done.
Cr Halsall questioned the independence of the Ombudsman in this case.
“The Ombudsman is an officer responsible to the State Government and, as we all know, both VCAT and the EPA are also State Government instrumentalities,” she said.
“There are no terms of reference for the Ombudsman’s inquiry, and no time frame. We want answers for our community and want them sooner rather than later.”
Casey Council’s actions and the EPA’s actions will be investigated.
But according to Cr Halsall, the decision of VCAT and the actions of a private organisation such as Peet & Co won’t.
Mayfield Ward councillor Kevin Bradford said he was disgusted at the irresponsible and ill-informed comments made by the mayor.
“Council received legal advice three days ago from a qualified barrister representing council saying we should not go out and attack the independence and effectiveness of the Ombudsman as it could have effect on council’s insurance,” Cr Bradford said.
“Now is not the time to play the blame game, we must support the residents,” he said.