Red tape threatens the progress of Griffith agritourism after a popular Taste Riverina event was handed a $3000 fine by Griffith City Council.
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Griffith man Peter Piccolo received the fine for a ‘development without consent’ after hosting ‘A Taste of Griffith’ at a Mallinson Road property in October.
Council promoted the ‘long lunch’ on their website, only to inform Mr Piccolo 10 days prior to the event he would be in breach of section 76 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.
According to Griffith City Council’s director of sustainable development Neil Southorn notice was given to Mr Piccolo shortly after council received a complaint.
“This followed council previously refusing a development application from Mr Piccolo for a permanent event venue,” he said.
When questioned, council did not explain why the development required consent, nor why the refusal of a previous DA was relevant.
However, Mr Southorn confirmed no other Taste Riverina events held in the Griffith local government area required development applications.
Mr Piccolo said the rules regarding holding such an event and council protocol remain unclear and the situation needs to be more ‘black and white’.
His son Luke said council needed to be proactive, rather than reactive and needed to lend a hand to those wanting to grow the region.
Both father and son agree Griffith sits poised on the brink of maximising its agritourism potential and fines like this remain frustrating barriers to progress.
For Luke, as one of the new Griffith businesses involved in the event, council’s lack of notice and support was disappointing.
“You can’t just send us a letter 10 days out, everything was booked,” he said.
“There’s a $5000 outlay and it was a sold out event with 150 guests coming.”
Mr Piccolo is disputing the fine and will appear in court on January 27.