Public campaigner Paul Matters has ambushed Wollongong City Council’s first meeting after the threat of a merger was lifted, charging in to dump legal papers at the lord mayor’s feet.
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On Monday night, the former South Coast Labour Council secretary and legal campaigner began shouting at Cr Gordon Bradbery before the meeting could begin, asking if the lord mayor would accept a summons.
Mr Matters said he was delivering a statement of claim as part of a legal dispute between the Stanwell Park Reserve Trust and the operator of the Stanwell Park kiosk, Sofia Papadopolous.
He said he had been trying to deliver it to the trust – which the council manages – and visited the meeting as he had been unable to find the trust. In the absence of being able to deliver papers to the trust, Mr Matters said the law allowed parties to “throw a summons at someone’s feet to serve them”.
Despite Mr Matters’ announcement that he would “See you in court Gordon”, Cr Bradbery said the papers had nothing to do with him. He said Mr Matters actions were “inappropriate”.
A council spokeswoman confirmed Mr Matters’ statement of claim was in relation to the occupation of the kiosk, and said legal proceedings between the council and Ms Papadopolous started on February 6.
“It is unusual to hand over a Statement of Claim at a general Council meeting,” the spokeswoman said.
She said the council had offered to accept document at its main reception “on a number of occasions the previous week, in accordance with Court rules. This offer was refused.”
Aside from the turbulent beginning, the council meeting was brief and uncontroversial. Councillors appeared unperturbed by the interruption.
“And now for the next act,” Cr Bradbery said, as Mr Matters left the room.