Questions remain unanswered following last months fatal wall collapse with the City of Melbourne ducking for cover and in lock down mode avoiding responsibility.
According to a City of Melbourne spokesperson a permit is required for the construction of a hoarding on a building site. The City of Melbourne in its statement published on April 9 stated that a permit was not issued for a hoarding on the GroCon Swanston Street building site that collapsed on March 28 killing three pedestrians.
When asked on April 16 if the Council had issued a permit for the NEW hoarding on thee GroCon Swanston Street site and if the Council Officers had inspected the site and if not why not? Councillor Stephen Mayne, Chairman of the Council's Governance portfolio was unable to answer and took the question on notice.
A week has passed and still the City of Melbourne has not been able to respond to this important and yet simple question.
Questions are being asked if the Council is guilty of contributory negligence for the death of three innocent people by failing to fulfill its statutory obligations and/or if Council staff had received inducements to turn a blind eye to the requirement to issue a permit for the construction of a hoarding? Both the new and old hoardings were taller then the maximum height of 2.4m listed in the Council's Construction Management Plan guidelines.
It is a simple question and deserves an answer.
Council itself, and Councillor Mayne in particular, are now being compromised by the Council's failing to reply. Avoiding the question will not make it go away and only serves to undermine public confidence in the City Council's Administration.
The Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, may also be tainted by the Council's lack of response with allegations being made that Councillor Doyle is actively seeking to block twitter discussion and review of his administration.
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