OPPONENTS of the controversial north-south pipeline brought their long-awaited trespass case against Melbourne Water employee John Winther to the Seymour Magistrates Court this week.
Plug the Pipe member and Yea Landholder Bill Anderson brought the action after Mr Winther and other pipeline workers entered his property and fenced off an easement to build and bury the pipeline.
The barrister representing Mr Anderson, Serge Petrovitch, said the Government had failed to comply with notification and waiting periods defined under the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act.
Melbourne Water and the Victorian Government have repeatedly argued they had the right to enter the land under section 133 of the Water Act.
But Mr Petrovitch said the Water Act also clearly referred to the LACA when it came to purchasing land. The case, which started on Monday, was due to be completed yesterday, with no timeline on when the judgment would be delivered.
