• “Donate here to stop the madness”—Geoff Pearson and members of the Alfred Cove community have failed to raise enough cash for a legal challenge. Photo by Clare Kenyon

THE Striker Balance Action group has fallen short of raising enough funds to mount a legal challenge against the development of the old Striker Pavilion in Alfred Cove.

Organiser Geoff Pearson held a stall out the front of his house Wednesday evening, hoping to raise enough money to force a 14-day “stay” on a state administrative tribunal hearing due to determine the development on Friday.

Mr Pearson was hoping to use the stay to explore options to fight the decision, which has angered the neighbourhood because it breaks Melville council’s rules on height and bulk.

The group raised $4160 but Mr Pearson says it isn’t enough to mount the challenge.

On March 10 the local development assessment panel approved the 84-apartment complex proposal, despite overwhelming community opposition and breaches of local planning guidelines.

The decision must go before the SAT for rubber-stamping.

The action group this week flooded ministers’ offices with calls and letters objecting to the project.

“We are not throwing in the towel just yet, we will reassess our options and make a last-ditch effort to get some decency happening here,” Mr Pearson said.

by CLARE KENYON