Introduction
I didn’t set out to create a test case. I didn’t plan to reverse-engineer Victoria’s TRZ2 zoning framework and I certainly didn’t expect to find myself at the centre of what may become a landmark dispute in planning governance.
But here we are.
At 7 Cullen Court Spotswood, a small block of land has exposed a large institutional contradiction: a TRZ2 zoning designation placed on land the government has no legal authority over.
I activated the land for lawful trailer hire under Section 6(3) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic). I documented every step. I checked every title, every clause, every precedent. And what I found was clear:
The land is privately owned by my mother Faye Towson. The zoning appears ultra vires. And there’s no responsible authority with clear jurisdiction.
This isn’t a planning dispute — it’s a systems failure. As a degree qualified Computer Scientist and former DST Group Supercomputing professional i'm uniquely qualified to work on systems. I spent decades of my life diagnosing and fixing extremely complex computing problems to help move technology forward in a highly complex environment.
My Position: I Want to Work With Government
Let me be crystal clear:
I’m not here to embarrass anyone.
I’m not here to destroy the system.
And I’m not here to litigate unless I’m left with no choice.
What I am here to do is help solve a problem that has fallen through the cracks of inter-agency responsibility — and to do so constructively, legally, and publicly.
I want to work with The Hobsons Bay Council, with the Department of Transport, and with Planning Victoria to resolve this issue in a way that:
- Preserves lawful use of my mothers land;
- Restores clarity to the TRZ2 zone and its legitimate boundaries;
- Sets a fair precedent for others; and
- Improves the integrity of Victoria’s planning scheme for future generations.
My Request to Government Agencies
Let’s stop operating in silos.
This land has revealed a blind spot in how zones are applied, managed, and enforced. It’s nobody’s fault — but now that it’s visible, we have a duty to respond intelligently.
I’m formally inviting:
- Hobsons Bay Council to open a line of communication about what role, if any, they see themselves having — even if that role is simply to step back and acknowledge the limitations of TRZ2.
- The Department of Transport to review the zoning history and the 1978 Executive Council discontinuance with fresh legal eyes.
- Planning Victoria to consider whether a quiet but lawful planning correction is required to prevent future confusion on TRZ2 sites across the state.
And if any of these departments are willing to work together — even informally — I will make myself available to assist, explain, and support the process with all of my research, documentation, and goodwill.
Why This Matters
I’m just one man. But this one site has already:
- Triggered internal legal reviews;
- Exposed a policy loophole;
- Demonstrated the lawful use of TRZ2 land by a private citizen;
- And drawn the attention of other landowners, lawyers, KC's, planners, and journalists.
I could walk away tomorrow. But I won’t — because this is bigger than one trailer yard. This is about how systems self-correct when someone cares enough to pull the thread.
My Promise
If Council or the Department of Transport engage in good faith, I will:
- Share all my documentation directly;
- Suspend any public escalation or tribunal action;
- Participate in collaborative problem-solving discussions;
- And advocate for a resolution that protects both planning integrity and lawful landowner rights.
I’m not here to escalate. I’m here to clarify.
Let’s work this out together — before the headlines do it for us.