Huon Valley Council tells Dover school bus driver after 23 years he can’t park buses on his property

A school bus driver has been told by a southern Tasmanian council he can no longer keep his vehicles on his property despite them being parked there for the past 23 years.

The Dover property where a school bus driver has been told by the council he can no longer park his vehicles on, despite them being parked there for the past 23 years. Picture: FALL REAL ESTATE

A SCHOOL bus driver has been told he can no longer keep his vehicles on his property, despite them being parked there for the past 23 years.

Huon Valley Council advised Neville Boulton of a potential breach of the planning scheme for keeping two buses parked on his Dover property in March last year.

Under the Huon Valley Interim Planning Scheme, using the property as a transport depot was “considered prohibited on land zoned as low density residential”, a letter seen by the Mercury said.

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Neville and Lisa Boulton would like to sell their property and business together, but can’t until the potential breach is resolved. Picture: FALL REAL ESTATE

But since the notice of the potential breach, the matter hasn’t been resolved and the buses remain parked at the property, meaning Mr Boulton and his wife Lisa can’t sell their house and business together.

Mr Boulton said he had sought a meeting with the mayor and general manager to resolve the issue to no avail.

“They’ve never given me a show cause notice to say I’m against their planning scheme, it’s a potential,” Mr Boulton said.

Huon Valley Mayor Bec Enders. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“I want to know if it’s a breach or not. We can’t sell our property until we know what it is.

“If it’s against the law give me show cause notice so I can take it further — but if it’s not, tell me so we can get on with our lives.”

When contacted by the Mercury about the Boulton’s case, the council said it couldn’t comment publicly due to privacy reasons, but provided a non-specific response.

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“Council is happy to work with residents and business owners who are willing to work towards receiving the appropriate planning, building and/or plumbing approvals,” a spokeswoman said.

Huon Valley Council chambers. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“Where use or development is occurring that is not in accordance with an approved permit, or otherwise exempt, then council may have to take action to rectify the situation.”

Mr Boulton said the issue had turned their lives upside down and affected their health and wellbeing.

“We would have appreciated a phone call from the council to say let’s sort this out,” he said.

“You’d think a business that has been in the Valley for 23 years would have that respect.”

Mr Boulton said the buses were only parked and washed on the property — no fuel and oil was kept there and servicing was done elsewhere.

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