A Melbourne man questioned by his local council over a tree — in an interview reminiscent of a police interrogation — says he felt like a criminal facing murder charges.
Adam Marsal, a landscaper and pool builder by trade, told A Current Affair he took it upon himself to fill a hole left by a 25-metre gum tree which toppled outside his Frankston home — only to be fined $11,500 by his local council for dumping “waste”.
“I waited six months for it to get cleaned up and nothing was happening,” Marsal said.
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Despite the homeowner purchasing soil and plants to fix up the small grassy area directly opposite his property, Frankston City Council took exception, demanding Marsal explain his actions.
After attending the council’s offices, Marsal said he felt ambushed by council staff, who began video recording a formal interview with him in a small room that resembled a police interrogation.
“I thought we were having a conversation,” Marsal told the council officer, who proceeded to question the landscaper about the alleged “illegal deposit of litter on the side of the road”.
Marsal was later fined $11,500 and told to return the site to its previous state.
“I sort of did joke I should have sent them an invoice for the work I (had) done,” Marsal said.
Despite council initially declining to comment on camera, when asked about the fine today, Frankston City Council Mayor Nathan Conroy said council would not allow residents to “fill holes on land that is not theirs”.
“It’s very strange to me someone decided to fill a hole with illegal fill that has potentially detrimental impacts on the community,” he said.
FULL FRANKSTON CITY COUNCIL STATEMENT
Council takes a zero tolerance approach to illegal fill and the detrimental impacts it can have on the environment and the community.
Council promptly investigated the matter after it was reported by a concerned resident.
Council has no record of being contacted regarding a hole at the subject location.
Interviews are conducted in accordance with all relevant guidelines and legislativerequirements.
As this is an ongoing enforcement matter, Council will not be making any further comment.