Saturday, 29 April 2023
Monday, 24 April 2023
Friday, 21 April 2023
Wednesday, 19 April 2023
PRESS _ 11-19-jbCW
On Tuesday the 68 metre bridge did not span the river but was close by ready for transportation.
The removal came after Mr Pentridge made an agreement with the City of Launceston council under the auspices of the Tasmanian Administrative and Civil Tribunal agreeing to take the bridge down by April 30.
Under the TASCAT agreement the council would not proceed with charges laid in the Launceston Magistrates Court about construction of the bridge, which was allegedly in contravention of the planning scheme, if the bridge was taken down.
However, late last month Mr Pentridge sought an 11th hour "common sense solution" from the State Government via Primary Industries Minister Jo Palmer.
"It is time for the Minister to step in, get some answers and show commonsense by giving permission for the assessment of the bridge to go ahead," he wrote.
Mr Pentridge sought that development approval for the bridge be granted before he removed it.
"It is appropriate now for the Minister to call the matter in and review the reasons for not granting routine permission," he said.
Sunday, 16 April 2023
IN THE PRESS _ 2VTG6
An allegedly illegal bridge built over the North Esk River by a Tasmanian businessman newly elected to council will not have to be dismantled before the matter comes before the Magistrates Court, the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal says.
Launceston businessman Joseph John Pintarich, known more commonly as Joe Pentridge, constructed a 68m bridge connecting two properties owned by his companies Holly Pty Ltd and Pentridge Pty Ltd at 49 Boland St and 50 Wildor Cres, Ravenswood, collectively known as the Glebe Farm.
Newly elected City of Launceston councillor, businessman Joe Pentridge (a.k.a. Pintarich). Picture: City of Launceston
Mr Pintarich, who was elected a City of Launceston councillor at last year’s local government elections, has been charged by council officers with four criminal offences, including developing land without a permit, performing work in a hazardous area, and building works that do not comply with the Building Act and the National Construction Code.
Mr Pintarich and his companies are yet to enter pleas on the charges. They will next appear before Launceston Magistrates Court on March 2.
The City of Launceston has also slapped Mr Pintarich and his companies with various enforcement notices and building orders, each of which specifies that the bridge is to be dismantled by February 1.
Allegedly unauthorised bridge over the North Esk River constructed by Launceston Councillor Joe Pentridge, a.k.a.
Allegedly unauthorised bridge over the North Esk River constructed by Launceston Councillor Joe Pentridge, a.k.a.
Mr Pintarich sought a stay in the operation of those orders, which he is appealing, until the criminal proceedings are heard and determined.
In a determination by tribunal member Fabian Brimfield dated January 5, he granted Mr Pintarich’s request, with the orders stayed “until further order of the tribunal”.
Mr Pintarich argues that his bridge is not illegal and he did not require a development or building permit.
He gave evidence to the tribunal on January 20, where he was cross-examined by council’s lawyer.
“(He) objected to answering questions on the basis that those answers might tend to incriminate him, before answering anyway,” Mr Brimfield noted.
Council argues the bridge is “not structurally sound and could exacerbate floods of the North Esk river”.
The bridge remains incomplete, Mr Brimfield noted in his determination.
“Building works ceased at the time the council issued the building orders (on December 8),” Mr Brimfield said.
“The walkway of the bridge is only partially constructed and it does not have a solid floor. “Additionally, there are no gangways which connect the ends of the bridge to the ground level, to allow people, animals or vehicles to use the bridge.
“It would require a significantly determined person, who was cavalier with their own safety, to mount and use the bridge.”
Launceston businessman Joseph John Pintarich, known more commonly as Joe Pentridge, constructed a 68m bridge connecting two properties owned by his companies Holly Pty Ltd and Pentridge Pty Ltd at 49 Boland St and 50 Wildor Cres, Ravenswood, collectively known as the Glebe Farm.
Newly elected City of Launceston councillor, businessman Joe Pentridge (a.k.a. Pintarich). Picture: City of Launceston
Mr Pintarich, who was elected a City of Launceston councillor at last year’s local government elections, has been charged by council officers with four criminal offences, including developing land without a permit, performing work in a hazardous area, and building works that do not comply with the Building Act and the National Construction Code.
Mr Pintarich and his companies are yet to enter pleas on the charges. They will next appear before Launceston Magistrates Court on March 2.
The City of Launceston has also slapped Mr Pintarich and his companies with various enforcement notices and building orders, each of which specifies that the bridge is to be dismantled by February 1.
Allegedly unauthorised bridge over the North Esk River constructed by Launceston Councillor Joe Pentridge, a.k.a.
Allegedly unauthorised bridge over the North Esk River constructed by Launceston Councillor Joe Pentridge, a.k.a.
Mr Pintarich sought a stay in the operation of those orders, which he is appealing, until the criminal proceedings are heard and determined.
In a determination by tribunal member Fabian Brimfield dated January 5, he granted Mr Pintarich’s request, with the orders stayed “until further order of the tribunal”.
Mr Pintarich argues that his bridge is not illegal and he did not require a development or building permit.
He gave evidence to the tribunal on January 20, where he was cross-examined by council’s lawyer.
“(He) objected to answering questions on the basis that those answers might tend to incriminate him, before answering anyway,” Mr Brimfield noted.
Council argues the bridge is “not structurally sound and could exacerbate floods of the North Esk river”.
The bridge remains incomplete, Mr Brimfield noted in his determination.
“Building works ceased at the time the council issued the building orders (on December 8),” Mr Brimfield said.
“The walkway of the bridge is only partially constructed and it does not have a solid floor. “Additionally, there are no gangways which connect the ends of the bridge to the ground level, to allow people, animals or vehicles to use the bridge.
“It would require a significantly determined person, who was cavalier with their own safety, to mount and use the bridge.”
IN THE PRESS_ 2DTC
CICK FOR COUNCIL ELECTION RESULTS
PENTRIDGE, Joe. ... 2,494
Newly-elected City of Launceston councillor Joe Pentridge has been ordered to remove an illegal and unapproved bridge over the North Esk river.
A Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania spokesperson said: "The PWS [Parks and Wildlife Service] has issued Mr Pintarich with a Penalty Infringement Notice and a direction to remove the bridge by 1 February 2023."
Mr Pentridge erected the bridge on the ANZAC Day weekend in April without seeking the necessary approval from the department in relation to crown land at the edge of the river.
Approval from the Department was required before Mr Pentridge, who also goes by the name Joseph Pintarich, could lodge a development approval with the council.
The bridge connects two pieces of land owned by Mr Pintarich's companies Holly Pty Ltd and Pentridge Pty Ltd at 49 Boland Street and 50 Wildor Crescent respectively.
After the bridge appeared the City of Launceston and the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service commenced a joint investigation. He was served with a stop work notice in May.
Council chief executive Michael Stretton said this week: "The City of Launceston does not comment on active legal proceedings."
Earlier this year Mr Stretton said: "The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and City of Launceston have been working to bring this matter to its conclusion as a matter of priority."
"The relevant notices were served by the City of Launceston earlier this week with respect of the illegal bridgeworks on Crown Land which was undertaken without the necessary planning or building approvals."
In June Mr Stretton said:"If the Crown consents to the bridge remaining on their land, an application can be made and Council will consider it on its merits under the planning scheme and other relevant legislation.
Mr Pintarich did not respond to a request for comment about the removal notice.
However in June Mr Pintarich made comments to the Examiner about the bridge which he said was to enable evacuation of cattle from his Glebe Farm property at 49 Boland Street to higher ground near Vermont Rd during a flood.
He said the bridge was built to replace a wooden bridge that was burnt in the 1960s.
"There was always a bridge there," he said.
"It is built on the same abutments as that bridge and is two metres above the highest of high tides."
He said the bridge would withstand a flood similar to one in 2016.
Other possibilities would be the use of the bridge for a pedestrian walk from Corra Linn to the Cataract Gorge or for cyclists.
He was concerned that such a big deal had been made of the bridge.
"The bridge is not that easy to see, you have got to go looking for it," he said.
"It will be for everyone to use and benefit long after I'm gone."
Mr Pintarich declined to reveal how much the bridge had cost him to construct.
"I would also like to highlight the fact that the bridge is higher than all of the existing bridges already in place over the North Esk River, therefore it is not the flood hazard that those bridges are," he said.
"It is also not a hazard to river traffic as it is not piled, whereas the original bridge piles are still in place and constitute a hazard to river users.
"The bridge joins two private properties and is part of the farm infrastructure here at the Glebe and all engineering requirements have been complied with and standards have been met during its construction and installation."
Right to Information documents obtained by the Examiner reveal that Mr Stretton and general manager infrastructure and assets Shane Eberhardt met Mr Pentridge at 8am on November 22, 2021 to discuss the 50 Wildor Crescent Bridge matter.
However, Mr Eberhardt's email to Parks and Wildlife Service director operations John Lloyd were redacted by the department's RTI.
On May 12, 2022 council's manager infrastructure and engineering Kathryn Pugh wrote: "The intent of the bridge engineering inspection is to work out whether or not we would provide retrospective approval for the structure."
Mr Pentridge was elected to the council on November 2 after securing 2494 first preference votes - the fourth highest number.
One Mr Pentridge's election advertisements said: "Frustrated with your Council ? Send them a message send them Joe."
A Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania spokesperson said: "The PWS [Parks and Wildlife Service] has issued Mr Pintarich with a Penalty Infringement Notice and a direction to remove the bridge by 1 February 2023."
Mr Pentridge erected the bridge on the ANZAC Day weekend in April without seeking the necessary approval from the department in relation to crown land at the edge of the river.
Approval from the Department was required before Mr Pentridge, who also goes by the name Joseph Pintarich, could lodge a development approval with the council.
The bridge connects two pieces of land owned by Mr Pintarich's companies Holly Pty Ltd and Pentridge Pty Ltd at 49 Boland Street and 50 Wildor Crescent respectively.
After the bridge appeared the City of Launceston and the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service commenced a joint investigation. He was served with a stop work notice in May.
Council chief executive Michael Stretton said this week: "The City of Launceston does not comment on active legal proceedings."
Councilor's cattle bridge must go
Earlier this year Mr Stretton said: "The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service and City of Launceston have been working to bring this matter to its conclusion as a matter of priority."
"The relevant notices were served by the City of Launceston earlier this week with respect of the illegal bridgeworks on Crown Land which was undertaken without the necessary planning or building approvals."
In June Mr Stretton said:"If the Crown consents to the bridge remaining on their land, an application can be made and Council will consider it on its merits under the planning scheme and other relevant legislation.
Mr Pintarich did not respond to a request for comment about the removal notice.
However in June Mr Pintarich made comments to the Examiner about the bridge which he said was to enable evacuation of cattle from his Glebe Farm property at 49 Boland Street to higher ground near Vermont Rd during a flood.
He said the bridge was built to replace a wooden bridge that was burnt in the 1960s.
"There was always a bridge there," he said.
Councilor's cattle bridge must go
He said the bridge would withstand a flood similar to one in 2016.
Other possibilities would be the use of the bridge for a pedestrian walk from Corra Linn to the Cataract Gorge or for cyclists.
He was concerned that such a big deal had been made of the bridge.
"The bridge is not that easy to see, you have got to go looking for it," he said.
"It will be for everyone to use and benefit long after I'm gone."
Mr Pintarich declined to reveal how much the bridge had cost him to construct.
"I would also like to highlight the fact that the bridge is higher than all of the existing bridges already in place over the North Esk River, therefore it is not the flood hazard that those bridges are," he said.
"It is also not a hazard to river traffic as it is not piled, whereas the original bridge piles are still in place and constitute a hazard to river users.
Councilor's cattle bridge must go
"The bridge joins two private properties and is part of the farm infrastructure here at the Glebe and all engineering requirements have been complied with and standards have been met during its construction and installation."
Right to Information documents obtained by the Examiner reveal that Mr Stretton and general manager infrastructure and assets Shane Eberhardt met Mr Pentridge at 8am on November 22, 2021 to discuss the 50 Wildor Crescent Bridge matter.
However, Mr Eberhardt's email to Parks and Wildlife Service director operations John Lloyd were redacted by the department's RTI.
On May 12, 2022 council's manager infrastructure and engineering Kathryn Pugh wrote: "The intent of the bridge engineering inspection is to work out whether or not we would provide retrospective approval for the structure."
Councilor's cattle bridge must go
Mr Pentridge was elected to the council on November 2 after securing 2494 first preference votes - the fourth highest number.
One Mr Pentridge's election advertisements said: "Frustrated with your Council ? Send them a message send them Joe."
In another advertisement he talked of the need for a bridge - a bridge over the Tamar River from Riverside to Newnham.
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