Sunbury’s secession from Hume is in doubt, with Hume council’s senior management due to discuss its concerns with new Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins in the next fortnight.
The council wrote to Premier Dan Andrews directly after the November state election asking for a review of the previous government’s decision to charge Hume $35 million over the next 10 years to underwrite a new Sunbury municipality.
Ms Hutchins told Star Weekly she was looking into the Sunbury secession “very closely” and had scheduled a meeting with Hume council chief executive Domenic Isola before the end of this month.
“Labor is on the record about concerns over whether both Hume council and a new Sunbury council would be able to achieve financial stability,” Ms Hutchins said last week.
“I’m looking at this matter very closely and speaking with all parties to ensure the best outcome for the local community.”
Ms Hutchins said she spoke to Mr Isola before Christmas.
Hume council’s acting chief executive, Margarita Caddick, said last week the coming meeting with the minister would address the order-in-council by the former government to set up a Sunbury council and the implications of this legislative direction for Hume council staff and its communities.
“The interests of the community, staff and the organisation are our key priority,” Ms Caddick said.
The former government pushed through the order-in-council declaring a new Sunbury municipality on October 30, two weeks before polls opened for the November election.
Former local government minister Tim Bull even appointed an interim administrator, Joanne Anderson, and an interim chief executive officer, Vince Haining, to work alongside the current Hume council on the separation of staff and assets.
These two are due to take up their new positions from July 1 this year.
Ms Hutchins told Star Weekly As well as distributing assets and liabilities, Mr Bull allocated the full proceeds from the sale of residential blocks at Racecourse Road reserve to the new Sunbury municipality and provided for a share of Melbourne Airport ‘rates in lieu’ revenue to go to Sunbury for the next 10 years.
RELATED
Sunbury secession: ALP concerned over new council’s future
Sunbury secession: Casey Nunn dares Tim Bull to face Hume voters
Hume could mount legal challenge over $35m pay order
