MEDIA RELEASE
Western Victorian MP James Purcell has called on the State Government to overturn the incomprehensible adverse possession decision on 107 Gipps Street Port Fairy.
Mr Purcell has used his first adjournment debate to raise the controversial issue directly with the government.
“Without the knowledge of most of my community the Victorian Titles Office has recently made an incomprehensible decision to award this land to an opportunistic blow-in,” Mr Purcell told the Parliament.
“This land is and always has been regarded by my community as common open space and been regularly used as such by the fishing community and general public for many decades.
“I will be seeking to have the horrible adverse possession decision overturned and the land returned to my community as public open space.”
Mr Purcell said he had already raised the issue directly with the Premier and had used his first adjournment debate to ensure it was officially listed on Hansard.
“The government has 30 days to respond to an adjournment debate so I would be hoping to have further feedback on the issue early to mid March.
“It will be a real win for Port Fairy if we can have this decision overturned and the land rightfully returned to the community.”
ADJOURNMENT TRANSCRIPT – Port Fairy adverse possession claim
Mr PURCELL (Western Victoria)
My adjournment matter is for the attention of the Premier. This issue is extremely important to my community of Port Fairy. In December 2012 the Victorian titles office accepted an adverse possession claim for 107 Gipps Street, Port Fairy, from a Melbourne-based individual, despite the opposition of Moyne Shire Council. This land is used by community members daily and has always been regarded as common open space. It has been regularly used by the fishing community and the general public for many decades.
Without the knowledge of my community the titles office made the incomprehensible decision to award this land to an opportunistic blow-in. I believe the titles office has erred in its apparent rush to accept this claim and has not undertaken due diligence in its review of this claim for adverse possession. I request the Premier investigate how this adverse possession claim can be overturned.