By Colin MacGillivray
PYALONG man Chris Ryan says bureaucracy and red tape at all levels of government are stifling small businesses after deciding to close his family-run earthmoving company.
Chris Ryan Earthmoving will shut down this year after Mr Ryan failed to negotiate a variation to a State Government work authority that would have allowed him to extend a gravel pit on a Pyalong property.
Mr Ryan said he also applied to change a Mitchell Shire Council planning permit to extend his pit within the existing work authority area, but was told council would require a work plan, a land capability assessment, an environmental management plan and a cultural heritage management plan.
He was also told the North Central Catchment Management Authority would likely impose conditions on the extension of the work area.
Mr Ryan said the prohibitive cost of preparing all the required plans meant extending the pit was not financially viable, and that his only option was to close the business.
“I spent $55,000 on permits and consultants, and it was going to cost me at least another $100,000 to keep going,” he said.
“I thought that was ridiculous. We’re only a small operation and you can’t afford to be paying that sort of money.
“When we finish up getting the sand out of the site we’re in, we’re just going to close up shop and put the workers off.”
Mr Ryan said he had encountered no issues rehabilitating several previous gravel pits, but that more – and more expensive – permits were required each time.
“Our operation is basic. We strip the topsoil off and dig down about one-and-a-half metres, remove it all and then cover it all back up,” he said.
“There are no issues, yet every government department that can stick their beaks in does.
“It seems like there is no common sense in government departments these days. It’s all bureaucracy.”
In a letter to the Review, Mr Ryan said he believed council made it unnecessarily hard for extractive industry companies to operate in Mitchell Shire, citing council’s stance against a proposed quarry south of Wallan.
Council chief executive Brett Luxford refuted Mr Ryan’s claim, saying council was only opposed to the quarry project because of its proximity to Wallan.
Mr Luxfor said council supported extractive businesses generally and the permits required to extend the work area were in line with Victorian legislation.
“The applicant has sought to increase the extraction area, which requires an amended planning permit to meet current legislation,” he said.
“This is to ensure the proposal can be managed through conditions and the land, including the surrounding area, is suitable and not impacted by the proposal.
“Before applying for a planning permit or an amendment to a permit, applicants are encouraged to discuss the proposal with council to ensure that all requirements of the planning scheme are addressed.
“Council is open to facilitating extractive industry in appropriate locations outside the growth corridor and when they meet the relevant legislation.”
