Increased funding and improvement to public transport in growth areas such as Hume and Whittlesea topped the list of items on the wishlist of interface councils at their meeting with state ministers last week.
Hume mayor Geoff Porter and Whittlesea chief executive David Turnbull were among representatives of the 10 interface councils who met Deputy Premier Peter Ryan and Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell.
The interface councils include Hume, Whittlesea, Wyndham and Melton.
Earlier this year, the councils put out a report, One Melbourne or Two?, which says investment of about $9.8 billion will be required in 15 years for new and upgraded infrastructure and services in growth areas.
Cr Porter described the meeting as constructive. “We are looking at working with the state government to fix the problems now and the ones that will become bigger problems in the future,” he said.
“They [the government] are aware of the growth in these areas and Peter Ryan said that we aren’t alone.” Cr Porter said the councils’ representatives pointed out concerns about the current funding arrangements and highlighted the need for more bus services.
Mr Turnbull said: “Speaking on behalf of the Melbourne growth area councils, I reiterated our firm belief that the state government planning policy encouraging rapid growth in the outer suburbs needs to go hand in hand with funding for schools, roads and public transport – particularly easy access to buses. These are basic needs that need to be a given and not something that we are made to feel grateful for when they are funded.
“I also stressed the point that the challenges our outer suburbs face can only be successfully tackled in partnership with the state government, which, I believe, was acknowledged by ministers Powell and Ryan.’’
The council representatives would meet the government next year to discuss funding.
