State election 2018: Opposition Leader Matthew Guy vows to split Sunbury from Hume Council if elected

IT’S been an unresolved issue for the past five years, but with the state election less than three months away, the split of Sunbury from Hume Council could become a reality.

THE split of Sunbury from Hume Council will be back on the agenda if the Coalition wins the upcoming state election.

In an exclusive interview with the Leader, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said his party was committed to ramping up the establishment of a new municipality, Sunbury Shire, in time for the next council election cycle in 2020.

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“Our policy hasn’t changed; we are committed to a city of Sunbury,” Mr Guy said.

The previous Coalition Government led by former Premier Ted Baillieu gazetted the new council in 2014, however the current Andrews Government reversed the decision on the advice of independent auditors.

“We had a referendum, which was clear and decisive,” Mr Guy said, referring to a 2013 non-compulsory poll in which more than 60 per cent of voters wanted Sunbury to leave Hume Council and form its own municipality.

“It’s pretty clear that a city of Sunbury is wanted by the people of Sunbury so that remains an election commitment.”

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But several Hume councillors voiced concerns about the proposed Sunbury split at last week’s council meeting.

Sunbury-based councillor Jack Medcraft slammed the Liberal Party for failing to communicate with the council about the plan.

“It’s very disappointing that no one from the Liberal Party sees it worthwhile to talk to us,” he said.

“The way it’s been handled has been an absolute joke.”

Councillors have previously argued against the split on the basis of potential problems with service reductions, infrastructure delays and possible rate rises of up to 14 per cent.