Sunbury Council: Matthew Guy slammed after talk of Hume split

DESPITE announcing plans for an independent City of Sunbury, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has been AWOL, say Hume councillors.

State Opposition Leader Matthew Guy. Picture: Alison Wynd

OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Guy has been slammed for keeping Hume councillors in the dark about a potential Sunbury split.

Mr Guy, who was in Sunbury on Monday to unveil potential municipal boundaries, promised the City of Sunbury would be gazetted within 100 days of a Coalition state election win.

Sunbury-based Hume councillor Jack Medcraft told the Leader Mr Guy had failed to contact any of the Jackson’s Ward councillors before yesterday’s announcement.

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“I was very surprised to hear there was a raid by the Liberal party here without letting us know,” Cr Medcraft said.

“I think if Matthew is going to play plasticine politics, he should have at least have the decency to notify the local independent councillors.”

Talk of Sunbury splitting from Hume has been on the agenda for some time.

A non-compulsory plebiscite in 2013 saw almost 60 per cent of voters back the split.

The proposed split was later quashed by the Andrews Labor Government on the advice of independent auditors.

Speaking to the Leader on Monday, Mr Guy said he wanted to honour the resulted of the 2013 vote.

“There’s been a very clear plebiscite where more than two thirds people wanted to do that (leave Hume),” he said.

“We won’t leave Hume in the lurch. We’ll make sure that Hume will have an appropriate transition that is sensible, that’s in consultation, but we’re going to respect the wishes of the people of Sunbury.”

Hume Mayor Geoff Porter Picture: Ellen Smith

Hume Mayor Geoff Porter confirmed the council had made repeated requests to meet with Mr Guy, but the invitation was yet to be accepted.

“It is frustrating and disappointing that yet again, Mr Guy can speak to the media about it but does not have the courtesy of meeting with us, especially given that we are directly impacted by these statements,” Cr Porter said.

Sunbury, Bulla and Wildwood would make up the new City of Sunbury, but nearby Diggers Rest would remain with Melton Council.

A MATTER OF RATES

Independent auditors cited problems with rate rises of up to 14 per cent, potential infrastructure delays and service reductions as reasons to maintain a united Hume.

My Guy said a smaller land area in Sunbury meant there would be less infrastructure needed for an independent council.

“The City of Sunbury would have more people living in it than Nillumbik, for instance, which is already a metropolitan council, but a smaller land area so it wouldn’t have the same level of infrastructure to deal with,” Mr Guy said.

He also told the Leader rates would be capped at current Hume levels.

“We will put in place rate guarantees so we don’t see rates rise. We’ll make sure the infrastructure is there,” he said.

“Rate capping is in place as it is and we said we’d keep that. That would be then capped at the Hume levels.”

Sunbury state Labor MP Josh Bull told the Leader under the proposal, residents would have to “pay more and get less from their council”.

“The leader of the Opposition sails into Sunbury, and promises to impose a massive rates burden on the community, whilst risking jobs and reducing services, he won’t even talk to the Council he is trying to sack,” Mr Bull said.

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