Sunbury’s secession from Hume should go to a new vote alongside November’s state election, according to Hume councillor Ann Potter.
Cr Potter, who represents Sunbury voters, said locals were increasingly confused by the government’s Sunbury-out-of-Hume process.
She said many were still under the impression last year’s non-compulsory poll of all Hume ratepayers was meant to ascertain interest in creating the new municipality.
“Then a panel would be appointed to determine the viability and then the decision would be taken,” Cr Potter said.
“People still think the panel is looking at the viability [of the split]– not that this is it.”
Cr Potter said while she was not against Sunbury’s secession from Hume, she believed the process so far had been flawed.
“I just want to make sure due process is followed and the community is fully informed,” she said.
Cr Potter said a new poll should set municipal boundaries that achieve a viable rate base for the new municipality while not leaving the rest of Hume struggling.
Hume chief executive Domenic Isola said the vote taken by all Hume residents was based on two independent KPMG reports commissioned by the government. These reports provided parameters for people to decide on the viability of Sunbury’s secession and also underpinned the information on which the community voted.
One of these parameters was that Sunbury did not include the airport. Hume residents voted on that basis, Mr Isola said.
“If there are substantial, material changes to any of these parameters, that would cause significant financial impact and a change to where the airport sits would be a substantial change,” he said. “Then community expectations of the vote, and the basis on which residents cast their vote, may not hold true.”
It has been estimated the impact of losing the airport on Hume’s rate base would push rate rises into double figures.
Meanwhile, the first meeting of the Sunbury-out-of-Hume community committee was held last Thursday. It was chaired by Northern Victoria MP Amanda Miller. Responding to concerns that some committee members had their own views, Mrs Miller said she demanded a commitment that they “park” their own opinions and properly listen to community feedback.
She said the inclusion or otherwise of the airport was “a matter for the panel”.
Written submissions to the panel are due by April 11 and can be emailed to local.government@dtpli.vic.gov.au
The community committee is due to hold four public forums and six listening posts, with its report due to be with Local Government Minister Tim Bull by April 30.
