Council easy on illegal carport

By Sharon Webb

Meander Valley councillors have indicated they will go easy on people who don’t apply for building permits by approving a Westbury carport in retrospect.

Officers reported to council that the owners of Unit 1 at 24 William St built the carport at the front of their property without the necessary approvals.

They said the carport’s setback is significantly less than that of other comparable developments fronting William Street which generally have a setback greater than four metres.

‘The setback is distinctly different and incompatible with existing developments in the immediate area,’ the report said.

After the building’s owners applied for a permit in retrospect, council officers recommended it be refused because of the setback issue. This would have meant the carport being dismantled.

But Cllr Michael Kelly supported the resident, calling for councillors to agree to the carport on the grounds that it was not creating a problem.

‘We should also write to the applicant and reiterate that planning approval must be gained in all circumstances.’

Cllr Sherriff said, ‘While I don’t oppose the structure as it sits, this guy needs to know that he needs to seek council approval for these sorts of things. This will send a clear message from now on.’

Cllr Cameron said the applicants were ‘a little bit ignorant’ but she didn’t know whether that justified the carport being pulled down, while Cllr Frank Nott described them as ‘unwitting victims’. ‘This is a wise decision. To pull it down would be a negative step,’ he said.