Dairy farmer Kevin Tesselaar says he has been left with few options other than to run for Corangamite Shire Council in an effort to get some discussion on noise levels at the Port Campbell gas plant and trucks using the road 24 hours a day.

The Melrose Road farmer has been vocal in the past about the gas plant and said he wasn’t stupid enough to think the plant was going to go away.

“Why do people become a councillor?” Mr Tesselaar asked.

“To promote major developments and projects or is to be an advocate for the bread and butter ratepayers?

“All we’re trying to do is get some honest discussion and debate. Why can’t we sit down with a cup of tea and talk like grown-ups?

“We can’t even have the debate because of the bullshit that gets in the road.”

Mr Tesselaar said he would consider running for council in the wake of councillor Steve Cumming’s decision to retire at the general elections in October. “I asked for a meeting with Origin Energy and I was told to go to the reference group, at the reference group meeting I was told I can’t raise anything because I’m not a member,” he said.

“I want council to know I’m considering it, if I can’t get anywhere else.”

Mr Tesselaar said he wanted to talk to Origin and the council about the noise operations and the trucks using the road 24 hours a day.

On Tuesday, The Standard reported that the Environment Protection Authority listed the noise complaints at the gas plant as a priority in its annual compliance plan.

“During the planning process there were certainly conditions made that need to be met in relation to a noise management plan and traffic management plan,” Mr Tesselaar said.

“To say the umpire has made their decision, well to use the mayor’s expression it sounds like a load of clap trap.

“The question I’m asking is can we all sit down, the gas company, council and the reference group and talk about the trucks?

“VCAT is also an option but it’s not my preferred option.

“It’s a complex issue and I’m not stupid enough to think that the gas plant is going away, I’m trying to see what improvements we can make.”

A spokesman for Origin said it was responding directly to Mr Tesselaar regarding his inquiry.

“The community reference group (CRG) is a Corangamite Shire initiative. Members of the CRG consist of representatives from the shire, Origin, community members and other organisations, as appropriate to the agenda,” he said. “In the past Mr Tesselaar has attended these meetings as an observer and has had the opportunity to discuss a range of issues.

“The terms of reference specifically allow attendees to raise items under general business.”