THE Palmwoods man whose complaint to council crushed plans for a retired men’s social club near his home has hit back at his detractors, claiming his objections to the idea have been distorted.

News of the anonymous man’s attack on the Sunshine Valley Men’s Shed created a furore yesterday, with the Daily inundated with calls for council to change its decision.

Chairman of the men’s shed, Ron Campbell, had claimed the man filed a complaint to council citing concerns there was a risk of “lascivious behaviour” by members.

“Lascivious” refers to being lewd or driven by lust and he said the man’s complaint made specific reference to his fear for his children, who walked past the shed to their bus stop.

But yesterday the complainant posted an online comment saying his sole concern was the group’s inability to follow council regulations.

“The lessee of this shed did not seek council approval for a material change of use. This is the sole reason why it was closed,” he wrote.

“If everyone thought they were above the laws regarding material change of use, we’d be in a very sad state of affairs.

“They (the group) are still able to apply for an MCU but chose to distort this story instead.”

He said he had only two issues with the operation – the material change of use and the fact his young children had to walk past an “unattended open fire” burning sheets of asbestos.

But Mr Campbell said the material change of use problems only arose after the man made his other allegations against the group.

A representative of the group met with councillor Jenny McKay to discuss the complaint on August 11.

“She read out his complaint at the table in council and what she told us was he was concerned about lascivious behaviour,” Mr Campbell said.

“This complainant declined a face-to-face meeting with our group, chaired by Jenny, just 10 days ago.

“Had he accepted that offer, he would know that those of us without blue cards would happily have acquired blue cards if a fear of pedophilia was his real reason.”

Once the man’s fears were raised, the microscope went across the shed and the material change of use problems came to light.

Mr Campbell said members had lit a small fire to dispose of some rubbish but knew nothing about the asbestos sheets.

“They have no idea where the asbestos came from ... you can read into it what you will,” he said.

The Daily offered the complainant the chance to elaborate on his online claims but he declined.

Cr McKay could not be contacted for comment.