The Solicitor-General has taken control of a dispute between the Dorset Council and the Department of Primary Industry, Parks, Water and Environment over the illegal construction of a works depot at Derby.
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A DPIPWE spokeswoman said "the construction of a depot by Dorset Council on Crown Land at Briseis Hole is in dispute".
"The matter is being dealt with under the advice of the Solicitor General. The Department is not prepared to comment any further."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Dorset general manager Tim Watson would not comment.
However, Mayor Greg Howard told The North Eastern Advertiser that "we've accepted that we have made a mistake and we are trying to find a way forward".
Dorset Council built the depot despite being warned several times by Parks and Wildlife Service general manager Jason Jacobi that it did not have development approval.
The standoff over the site prompted clandestine surveillance.
Right to Information documents reveal that on May 6, Mr Watson assured Minerals Resources Tasmania that the council was not using the site.
However, on May 13 Mineral Resources Tasmania used a drone to ascertain that the council was using the site.
"Shortly thereafter a council work truck arrived and parked in one of the shed bays [see white truck protruding from shed]. The worker then stayed on site for approximately 10-15 minutes then left closing the gate," Scientific Services manager Clint Siggins wrote to MRT mines director Kevin Robinson.
Mr Robinson emailed Mr Jacobi soon after and said "another for the file but clearly the council continue to use the depot".
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Nick Clark
I am the Supreme and Magistrates Court reporter for the Examiner for the past 18 months. My journalism career has clicked over 30 years and encompasses four different spells at Tasmanian newspapers.
I am the Supreme and Magistrates Court reporter for the Examiner for the past 18 months. My journalism career has clicked over 30 years and encompasses four different spells at Tasmanian newspapers.
