Lily D'Ambrosio, State Minister for the Environment

Murrindindi Shire Council has actively sought State Government action on the wombat shooting controversy at ‘Balaclava’, Murrindindi.

Chief Executive Officer, Craig Lloyd, confirmed this afternoon (Fri.) that Council officers have been in constant contact over the matter with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

There has been extensive communication with the State Minister, Lily D’Ambrosio. She is presently Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change and Minister for Solar Homes in the Andrews Ministry.

Council’s made representations to the DELWP and the Minister after the 60 Minutes TV program and The Age revealed that promoters were advertising wombat shooting to Chinese tourists.

The Council placed prominent half-page advertisements in The Local Paper, Alexandra Standard and Yea Chronicle newspapers this

week (Wed., Aug. 7) about the Balaclava issue.

Councillors have been prevented from making comment on the matter, because a planning application about the property in before the Council. Under Local Government law, Councillors must approach matters with an open mind.

Signing a petition is seen as having made up their mind to a “firm extent”, a principle discussed in a 2007 case, Winki Pop v Hobsons Bay Council.

A Kinglake blogger alleged today (Fri.) that the Council had not made representations to State and Federal authorities. The Council has a chain of correspondence to disprove those unfounded allegations.