Outrage at Broadmeadows public meeting over looming Sunbury split from Hume Council

OUTRAGED residents say their questions about Sunbury’s looming split from Hume Council remain unanswered.

Sonia Rutherford of the Concerned Hume Residents Group attempts to address the crowd during the public meeting held tonight at the Broadmeadows Town Hall for residents concerned about the impacts of the Sunbury out of Hume split, on Monday 29th September, 2014. Picture: Mark Dadswell

OUTRAGED residents have dubbed last night’s town meeting to discuss Sunbury’s looming split from Hume Council a failure.

Hundreds gathered for the, at times heated, forum run by Hume Council at Broadmeadows Town Hall.

But fuming residents say their questions about the separation remain unanswered.

The meeting came after the State Government recently released a report detailing the finer details of the split, which includes a large amount of rates from Melbourne Airport being set aside to prop-up the new Sunbury Council in its formative years.

“The creation of Sunbury should not happen at the expense of my community.” - Casey Nunn

Hume Mayor Casey Nunn speaks with a ratepayer.

Hume Mayor Casey Nunn, chief executive Domenic Isola, councillors and politicians attended the meeting, as did James Martin from the office of Local Government Minister Tim Bull and Local Government Victoria’s Colin Morrison.

Attendees could fill out an optional online survey, provide written feedback to each of the 30 recommendations made in the Local Government Panel’s report and direct their questions to council officers.

Addressing the crowd briefly, Cr Nunn said the decision to secede would have significant implications for both municipalities, with council staff also experiencing uncertainty.

She said relationships between both areas should exist regardless of boundaries, but said “the creation of Sunbury should not happen at the expense of my community”.

“Clearly the vote taken was based on Sunbury going on its own,” Cr Nunn said.

“(What’s happening now is that) Sunbury is still going on its own, but requiring the support of the Hume community and I’m not sure that’s fair.”

She also expressed concern for Sunbury residents and the potential for rising debt levels.

Tempers flared during the meeting as the Concerned Hume Residents Group attempted to pass a proposed resolution, prompting Jacksons Creek ward councillor and staunch Sunbury advocate Jack Medcraft to snatch away the group’s posters.

Frank McGuire, Ros Spence, Jack Ogilvie and Jack Medcraft during a heated discussion.

But Sunbury Residents’ Association president Bernie O’Farrell said there was no purpose to the meeting, saying Hume wasn’t at any disadvantage.

“Sunbury is entitled to have their share.” - Bernie O’Farrell

“Financially there’s no disadvantage to (Hume) at all. They’re no worse off,” he said.

Sonja Rutherford, a member of the Concerned Hume Residents Group, said the meeting was a “terrible, lost opportunity”, with people not given a chance to debate.

“Everyone wanted to hear; they wanted to hear explanations,” she said.

“People are very, very angry.”

Sonia Rutherford attempts to address the crowd.

Jackson Creek ward Cr Ann Potter said people remained confused about the process and had many unanswered questions.

“I still say the process was fundamentally flawed. (We need to) make sure that it’s viable for both municipalities,” she said.

While it was declared Hume would lose $35 million in Melbourne Airport rates to Sunbury over the next 10 years, a letter from Minister Bull to Cr Nunn stated he would recommend an Order in Council be made, including a direction that a flat rate of $2.47 million each year over the decade be transferred instead, equating to a total $24.7 million.

According to the letter, the council currently subsidises Sunbury by about $3.89 million annually, with the arrangement to cease on July 1.

Sunbury resident Bryce Letcher said he was disappointed by the council’s response.

“For years they’ve told us that rates that Hume collects have been equitably distributed to Sunbury, which I would assume includes the rates from Melbourne Airport,” he said.

Mr Isola praised the turnout.

“Some of the comments are strong, as you’d expect,” he said.

“It’s an emotive issue. The reality is there’s no great winner.”

For more, see next week’s Leader.

Many people left the meeting saying their questions remained unanswered.