A member of the state government-appointed Sunbury out of Hume community consultation committee has called the process “deceptive” and “an insult to the people of Hume’’.
Betty Kosanovic, president of the Broad- meadows Progress Association, says the project should be stopped immediately.
“The consequences of this process, if continued in the same manner, will cause further confusion and result in hardship for all residents of Hume,” she said.
“The whole Sunbury out of Hume process should be stopped and revisited in a more professional and democratic way.”
Ms Kosanovic slammed the conclusions of committee co-ordinator and Northern Victoria Liberal MP Amanda Millar, saying the consultation process had been neither broad nor effective.
“I do not agree … that all communities consulted were broadly supportive of Sunbury seceding from Hume City Council, that considerable support was shown for the appointment of commissioners,” she said.
Ms Kosanovic also disputed Ms Millar’s claims that consultation gave “a clear signal’’ to the committee to proceed with the establishment of a new municipality.
Ms Kosanovic last week lodged a minority report with the government-appointed panel advising on Sunbury’s secession from Hume, outlining her own findings. She said while 12 hours had been allocated for the committee to hear from people at Sunbury, all other areas of Hume were allocated just six hours combined. The last two community forums were held three days after the closing date for submissions.
Support for Ms Kosanovic’s view is spreading, with Gladstone Park community leader Frank Rivoli also criticising the process.
Mr Rivoli said there was no economic justification or benefit for Hume or Sunbury.
“There will need to be significant rate rises in both Hume and Sunbury to recoup loss of revenue. This will divide our communities socially and disadvantage us economically.”
Mr Rivoli said if residential areas in the vicinity of the airport were included in a new Sunbury shire, the town hall and council offices would be 25 kilometres away.
