HOBSONS Bay Council is worried about soaring fees at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
The council is unable to predict how much it will ultimately cost to fight just one developer who has lodged multiple appeals.
Evolve Development is fighting the council and residents in a bid to demolish buildings for a high-rise development on the former Port Phillip Woollen Mill site in Williamstown.
Mayor Angela Altair said increased costs could also stop residents being able to access VCAT.
“In one instance, the fee for hearings involving objectors will increase from $38 to $731, before increasing again to over $1000 by 2015.
“Such an increase could make it unaffordable for some residents to lodge an application, and it limits people’s access to the justice system.”
The council has made a submission to the Justice Department expressing its belief that VCAT should be accessible to all.
Hobsons Bay planning and environment director Peter Gaschk said the council had budgeted for legal expenses to represent the community on issues like the high-rise development on the mill site.
“One application concerning the Port Phillip Woollen Mill site has been heard at VCAT and the council’s legal costs for this application were approximately $15,000.
“There are five remaining matters relating to this site that are listed for hearing and decision at VCAT.
“It is not possible to determine estimated costs for those matters at this stage.”
Evolve managing director Ashley Williams said he expected his cost for up to four different appeals at VCAT would “run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars”.
