Ratepayers across the Geelong region are footing a hefty bill for their local councils' legal disputes, with new data revealing more than $1.3 million has been spent on tribunal battles in recent years. The figures, obtained through Freedom of Information requests, lay bare the substantial financial cost of taking planning and governance disagreements to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Breaking Down the Million-Dollar Legal Bill
The City of Greater Geelong emerges as the biggest spender, with its VCAT-related legal costs totalling a staggering $1,058,000 over the past five financial years. This substantial sum covers expenses from the 2018-19 period through to 2022-23. The neighbouring Surf Coast Shire also recorded significant expenditure, paying out $223,000 in the same timeframe.
Other councils in the region showed more modest, but still notable, costs. The Golden Plains Shire reported legal bills of $38,000, while the Borough of Queenscliffe spent $17,000. The Colac Otway Shire, which is partially within the Geelong region, incurred costs of $13,000.
What Drives Councils to VCAT?
The majority of these costly cases revolve around planning disputes. These often involve developers appealing council decisions to refuse permits, or community members challenging approvals they believe are inappropriate. The tribunal serves as an independent arbiter, but the process is rarely quick or cheap for any party involved.
A spokesperson for the City of Greater Geelong defended the expenditure, stating that the costs are a necessary part of ensuring proper planning outcomes. "Council is committed to ensuring the appropriate planning outcomes for our community and will, at times, defend its position at VCAT," the spokesperson said. They emphasised that the figures represent a five-year period and that the city manages a high volume of complex planning applications.
The Ripple Effect on Communities and Ratepayers
While councils argue that defending planning decisions is in the public interest, the multimillion-dollar total raises questions about the efficient use of public funds. Every dollar spent on legal fees is money that cannot be directed towards community services, infrastructure projects, or keeping rate rises in check.
The data also highlights a potential access-to-justice issue. The high cost of VCAT proceedings can deter residents and community groups from appealing contentious council decisions, even when they have legitimate concerns. This creates a power imbalance where well-resourced developers may be more willing to engage in a lengthy legal fight than ordinary citizens.
The revelation of these costs comes at a sensitive time for local governments, many of which are under financial pressure and facing community scrutiny over rate increases. It prompts a broader conversation about whether alternative dispute resolution methods could be employed more effectively to avoid costly tribunal hearings.
Transparency advocates argue that while some VCAT cases are unavoidable, councils must continuously evaluate their legal strategies. The goal should be to achieve the best community outcomes without unnecessarily draining public coffers through protracted legal warfare.
