Alpine News

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2002
PUBLISHED AT POREPUNKAH
INCORPORATING MYRTLEFORD NEWS
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Golf seniors
arrive for state
championship
By Michael Gorey
T he 2002 Springtime in
Bright Festival has re-
ceived a major boost thanks
to an influx of several hundred
people for the 2002 Victorian
Senior Amateur Golf Champi-
onship.
The championship, which
tees off at the Bright Country
Golf Club on Monday, has at-
tracted a field of 180 players,
many of whom are travelling
with their partners.
Golf club president Gary
Allen, who is also president
of the chamber, said it’s a great
economic stimulus for the
town.
“We estimate there will be
at least 250 people staying in
Bright for four nights or
more,” he said.
“Many of the players have
arrived early to get a feel for
the course, which is in excel-
lent condition thanks to the
hard work of superintendent
Cameron Wickes.”
Mr Allen said planning for
the event went back several
years.
INSIDE OUR 20-PAGE ISSUE
Bright Debutante Ball
Page 7
Springtime in Bright
The only newspaper version of the full program
4-page Lift-out Feature, pages 9-12
Myrtleford News
Starting today on page 14
“The Victorian Golf Asso-
ciation (VGA) looks to move
this tournament around vari-
ous country communities,”
he said.
“They like to move away
from the city whenever they
can, and they look for clubs
that are capable of staging
such a major event.”
Mr Allen said demand for
accommodation had been
very high and many places in
Bright are booked out.
He said the Springtime in
Bright Festival would benefit
from the influx.
“Many of the players bring
their partners and they will
enjoy the activities on offer.
Players who miss the cut will
also have two days to experi-
ence the local area,” he said.
“We arranged for the VGA
to send out the Spring Festi-
val program to every competi-
tor and there has been keen
interest in response.”
Mr Allen said golf tourism
is something that could be
developed for Bright in years
to come.
l Preview, page 20
Trout trains for Ironman
Page 20
Village People are the talk of the town
The Porepunkah music trivia night on Saturday was a great success, helping to raise funds for the
Porepunkah Primary School. The Village People made a surprise appearance. Pictured are Rex, Lurch,
Cherry, Potty, Burg and Yika. Full page of pictures, page 13.
Judge reserves VCAT decision
By Michael Gorey
T
he Victorian Civil and Administrative
Tribunal has reserved its decision
in the matter of Ray Dixon’s appeal to
have Alpine Shire’s investment oppor-
tunity study for the proposed gondola/
luge released under the Freedom of In-
formation Act.
The presiding member, Judge John
Bowman, heard evidence and legal ar-
gument in the Wangaratta Magistrates
Court last Thursday and Friday.
Judge Bowman received the agree-
ment of both parties to give his decision
by mail.
“There is a lot of material to look at. I
hope to come to a conclusion within 14
days,” he said.
Much legal argument hinged on when
the document came into existence – at
the time it was sent by e-mail from con-
sultant Andrew Wilson to chief execu-
tive Roy Hetherington – or earlier work-
ing drafts, whether held by the consult-
ant or reported to council in some form.
Mr Hetherington maintained it was al-
ways his intention to recommend that
the report be submitted to a closed ses-
sion of council.
Alpine Shire’s barrister, Michael
Gronow, said this was reason enough
for Judge Bowman to rule in council’s
favor, as precedents had been set where
the intention of a chief executive officer
was sufficient for a document to be con-
sidered confidential until determined oth-
erwise by the council.
Other argument related to whether the
study qualified as exempt under the Free-
dom of Information Act.
Mr Dixon said he accepted there could
be deletions for financial data, except-
ing a summary that proved the project’s
viability, and any material of a personal
nature.
Judge Bowman asked Mr Gronow if
council would allow the report to be re-
leased with deletions.
“We say that the report should be pro-
tected in its entirety,” Mr Gronow said.
“The council’s view is that the whole
report should not be released because
it’s an integrated document. We don’t
want to release it piecemeal.
“That would raise more questions than
it answers.”
The two parties had different opinions
on the question of public interest.
Mr Gronow argued it was in the public
interest to protect the commercial integ-
rity of the document from competitors.
Mr Dixon argued the project would
never have community support if envi-
ronmental and site issues weren’t ad-
dressed up front; therefore it was in the
public interest to release more informa-
tion.
In his summary, Mr Dixon contended
the study was not brought into exist-
ence for the purpose of being a confi-
dential document.
If it had been, he said this would have
been noted in the invitation to tender
and in written instructions to the con-
sultant.
“There is nothing contained in those
instructions that the report should be
prepared for consideration at a closed
meeting,” he said.
“The burden of proof, I believe, is on
the council. All we have to go on is Mr
Hetherington’s evidence that it was al-
ways on his mind.
“They had ample opportunity to
record their intention in council minutes
or elsewhere.”
Mr Gronow said council had operated
in accordance with the relevant Acts and
in a fully open manner.
He said the document didn’t become
subject to Freedom of Information until
the consultant sent a copy by e-mail to
council.
“It’s my submission it was always Mr
Hetherington’s intention the report be
confidential and submitted at a closed
meeting of council,” he said.
Mr Gronow said there had been exten-
sive consultation with the community.
l Continued, page 2
l Landholders concerned, p3

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