Gas debacle sparks meeting

By Bridget Cook
THEState Government should have to pay for the Brookland Greens methane gas debacle according to Independent candidate Bob Halsall.
Mr Halsall voiced his opinion at a public meeting, to discuss issues in relation to the Brookland Greens methane gas debacle, held in Casey on Tuesday night .
“When you make a mistake on the roads you’ll be forced to pay a fine,” Mr Halsall said.
“But when they make a mistake affecting everyone, they walk away. If that’s the best they can do, send them a message that their best just isn’t good enough.”
Mr Halsall, standing in the State Election under the Make The State Pay banner, said he believed it was the State Government’s responsibility to contribute more money to help clean up the mess.
Members of a newly formed Casey residents’ group, Make The State Pay community action group, called the meeting after receiving their rates notices.
Independent, Liberal and Labor MP’s and candidates for seats in Casey were invited to talk about what they would do if they were elected in the upcoming election.
Members of the group said they were concerned about the “insufficient compensation” from the State Government for the Brookland Greens crisis, and the higher rates local residents would have to pay as a result.
The increase in rates is a result of the methane gas leak from the Stevensons Road Landfill.
It is estimated the council will spend $100 million to cover remediation works at the landfill, and has spent $42 million over the past 18 months. The State Government has confirmed that it will contribute $17.5 million to the clean-up.
About 30 people attended the meeting and nine people addressed the crowd.
Each speaker had three minutes to address the audience.
Liberal Bass MP Ken Smith said he was disappointed by the number of people at the meeting.
“I couldn’t believe it when I got here and actually got a car park,” he said. “The people should stand up because they are the ones that are going to pay for it for the next 20 to 30 years.”
South Eastern Metropolitan Region Liberal MP Gordon Rich-Phillips said he was not in the position to promise any funding from the Liberal Party, but said he believed he would properly represent the issue.
“We will ensure this is a properly represented issue at the State Government level, and is not left for the City of Casey to handle,” he said.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan, Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley, Cranbourne MP Jude Perera and Member for Lyndhurst Tim Holding were invited, but were unable to attend .
Mr Donnellan said by the time he received the invitation, he already had a prior arrangement.
Mr Perera and Ms Graley were given an opportunity to comment on the meeting, but did not respond by the time the News went to print.