Hume council is believed to have spent $54,000 on the failed campaign to separate Sunbury from Hume.
The money was spent on two inquiries and a special public meeting before the council decided not to support a stand-alone Sunbury council, according to Hume councillor Jack Medcraft. Sunbury’s split from Hume was voted for by ratepayers before the state government overturned the decision last October.
Cr Medcraft said the ratepayers had been ripped off. “The meeting I attended was totally politically motivated and an absolute farce,” he said.
“Of the $54,000 spent, that special meeting cost $14,000. That was spent on cutlery, catering, staff and security. I think the money could have been better spent elsewhere.
“There have been a number of public meetings and special meetings held that have been for the political gains of some people, not in the interest of our community and ratepayers.”
Cr Medcraft said he would think twice about attending a meeting of that nature again. “We, as a council, need to take a stand if we feel ratepayers’ money is being spent inappropriately.”
Meanwhile, Western suburbs Liberal MP Bernie Finn, a Bulla resident, has asked the state government for answers on how much it spent on the separation.
“Prior to the last election, the then Opposition committed to respecting the views of the people of Sunbury and Hume, as expressed in a democratic vote, and implement the Coalition government’s decision to establish a stand-alone Sunbury council,” Mr Finn told Parliament.
“After much procrastination, the minister came up with an audit committee, the result of which was a predetermined report the government used to break its promise. Putting aside the cost to the government’s integrity, how many taxpayer dollars were expended?”
Mr Finn said he had had no response yet.
