Nillumbik Council launches legal action against Eltham developer John Lordan
Nillumbik Council is chasing down a developer who allegedly ignored legal orders and chopped down 20 significant trees in Eltham. And it’s not the council’s first run-in with him.
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A developer has allegedly ignored more rulings from VCAT and Nillumbik Council and cut down 20 trees in an “historically significant” pocket of Eltham.
The council refused John Lordan’s proposal last year for a driveway extension and three-lot subdivision at 91 John St — known as the John St mud brick precinct.
VCAT also ruled in the council’s favour finding the works would have had a “detrimental impact on substantial trees”.
But despite the pleas Mr Lordan allegedly felled the trees last week.
Nillumbik deputy mayor Peter Clarke told Leader the council would launch legal action.
“A number of the trees cut down would have required a permit for removal and can confirm that no permits had been obtained,” he said.
“One of the attractions of living in Nillumbik is the abundance of trees, a feature which gives so much of the Shire its great neighbourhood character.
“The community are rightly very alarmed at this tree felling — as is council — and we have acted accordingly.”
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It is not the council’s first clash with Mr Lordan after he was slapped with a $30,000 fine for the illegal removal of trees at another Eltham property in 2017.
The council is also pursuing Mr Lordan for the fees of having a council barrister present at an aborted two-day VCAT hearing last year.
The matter was thrown out after video footage showed Mr Lordan interacting with the hearing’s chairman at what was supposed to be an “unaccompanied site visit”.
Mr Lordan could not be reached for comment.