Council slammed for fining resident

FRANKSTON Council is standing its ground over an $11,500 fine handed to a resident who filled a hole near their property.

It was reported last week that Frankston Council had slapped a hefty fine on a resident for illegally filling a hole on council land outside his Frankston home. The man involved told A Current Affair that the hole was caused by a tree removal, and that he filled it himself after six months of inaction.

In a statement, Frankston Council stood by its decision to fine the man. “Council takes a zero tolerance approach to illegal fill and the detrimental impacts it can have on the environment and the community,” a council statement read. “Council promptly investigated the matter after it was reported by a concerned resident. Council has no record of being contacted regarding a hole at the subject location.”

The fined man was grilled in an interview at council’s offices about the matter. Council did not identify any issues with the process, and said “interviews are conducted in accordance with all relevant guidelines and legislative requirements.”

Frankston Council’s social media pages have since been flooded with dozens of comments supporting the resident.

First published in the Frankston Times – 16 July 2024