Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Sorry to hear that, sounds like they do not want small operators. May be better received if you were a Chinese business looking to start up.

I really just don't understand.

I can understand them not being able to do anything about vicroads because the shire does not have the stick to deal with them but to be told on the one hand that if we include certain things then it has to be referred to vicroads but on the other hand to be not told what those things are is so frustrating.

I asked tell us what to write so that you don't have to refer it to vicroads and they said that they could not do that.

There is nothing to understand. Just like people, you can not change a multi departmental beurocracy easily. It is sometimes easier to invest your energy in either:
1. figuring out how to work with them or loop holes
2. Building a bridge to some greener grass, aka going elsewhere

You gone a little way to 1 and it has not worked. Time for step 2.

Make sure you write an editorial for the local paper explaining that you are locating your business elsewhere because of restrictions.

At this point I'm considering calling the NZ, UK consulates and American Embassy while Juergen calls the Austrian Embassy.

I am not kidding.

If we have to move we have to move so might as well consider moving some where that is either going to have significant advantages or is some where we want to go.

No good going to NZ.... they wont let you grow anything but carp....

Perhaps try the Equadorian Embassy.... they seem to be predisposed towards Australians...

Stuart

As far as I am aware Austroads is only an association. Vicroads is covered by an act of parliament and associated regulations.
Exactly which part of the Act or Regulations are they applying?

In terms of application the Act is humorously speaking the will of the people, regulations are rules to effect enforcement of the Act (but only insofar as they do not go beyond the purpose or intent of the Act). Unless Austroads is covered by an Act they have no power, and if their standards do not meet the Act itself they are just guidelines.

Found it, its not austroads but this; Transport Integration Act 2010. Stupidest Act I have ever read.

Curiously Section 9 says this:-



Transport Integration Act 2010 - SECT 9

Economic prosperity

9. Economic prosperity

The transport system should facilitate economic prosperity by-

(a) enabling efficient and effective access for persons and goods to
places of employment, markets and services;

(b) increasing efficiency through reducing costs and improving timeliness;

(c) fostering competition by providing access to markets;

(d) facilitating investment in Victoria;

(e) supporting financial sustainability.

I know know that it is Austroads that produces the standard that Vicroads then uses. It appears that they do have room to move but they won't because they are worried that if there is ever an accident then they would be liable.

I found this curious because there are a number of intersections nearby where there have been near fatalities and even fatalities but they have not done anything to upgrade those intersections because apparently it would be too expensive. I don't understand that if they fail to upgrade an intersection after someone dies and someone else then dies why they are not liable.

The problem is that there is no counter to the bureaucratic power that VicRoads wields. They can make a decision and they do not have to defend that decision because they can hide behind the "standard".

Stuart

Write to Vicroads and ask them to provide, in writing, the reason for their decision and the part of the Act or regulations they think they are making that decision under.
An association cannot make law or set standards unless they have that right by law.

I'm having the same situation here in UK, so discount england as the burocracy is even more complicated having a lack of farm land, we have bought a property with an existing market garden of 1 acre for the project and the planning officers are just as bad to deal with, I'm considering in going back to my original country(Italy) at least corruption does work there, all you have to do is pay somebody and thing will happen, I know it's not the right way but is a possibility and at this point I really valuate any of them, my girlfriend she's from Camberra and after reading your story we have discarded the possibility of going back to Australia.
I'll start posting once I have the final response, as we speak we have invested quite a bit of money in this (including a £500.000 morgage)
I'm disgusted by the way planning is handled and my hand are tight, we are very keen in try our best to make it happen and no surprise when people don't go to vote anymore or build up without planning, and there is a lot of unlawful building all over UK for this reason.
The venus project it's another solution, but I doubt it would ever happen in full,unless we have a new fresh start! I hope in a doomsday, that maybe will be a chance for a new start, depending if the assh*le will still be in comand after that!

Hi Tony

What in heavens name has happened?. If your plot has an existing market garden and it has been going for a number of years, then why are you having hassle with the planning people.?

When you were on the course here we mentioned that applications for planning to build really need to be for "general agricultural purposes" and not specifically for aquaponics as planning people don't understand the difference between aqua., and fish farming, and asking for planning for a fish farm is asking for problems.

However, if you are going to work 1 acre of market garden then you have a lot of hard work ahead of you and we wish you the very best. You showed us that you are an enthusiastic and positive bloke so it will all work out for the best and in 12 months time you will laugh at the pen-pushers at the planning department.

Keep us posted.

WD and OH

Just build it like all the big rich developers do. worry about the slap on the wrist later on.

Hey Philip, thanks for your support, there is to say that the property is adiacent to other dwellings who have most lived here for 15 years, then I move in and start putting polytunnels right in sight of the window, too much risk, and planning officer said the leap in using the land it means we have to re-apply. Apparently the only concern is traffic load and visibility splays, so we had full drawing on existing work done for the access and turning lanes, plus the space for turning when parking on the field with hard ground, so all good there!
Today I've bougth part of the material and I'm going to start building tomorrow (permission or not!)
It all started 2 month ago....and still waiting to hear!
Finger crossed!