WINGECARRIBEE Shire Council has issued a statement saying councilors at Wednesday night’s meeting had reaffirmed their offer to Mr Greg Franklin to try to resolve the relocation of a sewerage pipe on his Moss Vale property.
“Council genuinely regrets that the issue has progressed to this stage,” general manager Jason Gordon said.
“We would have hoped it could have been settled earlier, as witnessed by our efforts to have the matter resolved by us initiating ‘without prejudice’ talks with the Franklins.
“It was at this stage the council offered to pay the costs associated with relocating the sewerage pipe in good faith.
“These approaches were made in spite of the council maintaining its position, supported by evidence, that Mr Franklin's issues have no link to any alleged ‘failure’ on the council's part.”
The matter was subsequently referred to the council for consideration after the Franklins rejected the council’s offer to move the sewerage pipe at its expense and it became apparent additional expectations held by the Franklins were beyond the reasonable ability of the council to resolve.
“Council maintains that, had proper due diligence been undertaken by the Franklin family before their purchase of the land in question, this issue would not have arisen,” Mr Gordon said.
“Council also regrets the continuing resentment being shown by Mr Franklin towards the council and its staff, and his inability to accept the possibility that the council is truly sympathetic to his family's situation.
“Having said that, the offer to fund the relocation of the sewerage pipe remains.”
Due to the nature of the claims lodged by the Franklin family against the council and pursuant to section 10A (2) of the Local Government Act, the decision was made in Wednesday evening’s session of Closed Committee.
The council said the matter would now be placed in the hands of the council’s insurer.
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