Hello River
Oh my word I'm in love with this post and would totally be there with you fighting the council with the community. It seems that the beareucrats are hell bent on killing community spirit one way or another and just beating us down into submission.
It is so sad but the community needs to fight them - at the end of the day these people are elected to council by the residents and the residents absolutely have a say to get them booted out. I'm quite sure if you rooted around enough you'd find some scandal that you could throw at them and they would conveniently leave the Honest and Free stand alone - I know, but sometimes you have to fight dirty, especially when it comes to municipalities and their shenanigans.
Start a petition - if it's only one person that complained, then show them the numbers. The other option is to find someone that lives in close proximity who is willing to put the stand on their own land - then council can't touch it. Obviously it would have to be someone trustworthy and who wants the community effort and cohesion to survive.
I think it's such a lovely initiative and clearly is well supported. I'm hoping that council will ammend their laws and you'll get a positive outcome.
With warm regards
I'm hoping the outcome will be positive... There's precedent in other councils and we WILL go to media of they don't give at least retrospective planning permit.
That's it .. they're so power hungry and the way they raise revenue through fines is unconscionable. It gets depressing here .. Australia is so full on with it's bloody laws.
I'm keen to hear the outcome River, no doubt it may be some time away. Gosh I know, the fines are awful.
Keep your chin up and I'm there with you in spirit.