Wyndham: Council expected to urge federal government to demand ceasefire

Another Melbourne council is expected to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza after “significant” contact from residents but others say it should focus on the core duties of local government.

A man inspects the damage in a room following Israeli bombardment at Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on December 17, 2023, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Picture: AFP

Another Melbourne council is set to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and lobby the federal government after “significant” contact from residents over the conflict.

Wyndham City Council has received a petition with more than 2400 signatures requesting the council pass a motion of solidarity with Palestinians and call for an immediate ceasefire.

At Tuesday night’s council meeting, councillors are expected to acknowledge that sections of the Wyndham community are deeply impacted by the events unfolding in Gaza and resolve to call upon the federal government to condemn initial and subsequent attacks on civilians as well as reaffirm its support for a two-state solution.

The petition to Wyndham council follows months of protests around Melbourne and similar motions at nearby Maribyrnong, Hume, and Merri-bek councils. Getty Images

According to the council, it received a 2436-strong petition last week urging Wyndham to join global calls for “a permanent ceasefire, the full flow of humanitarian aid for Palestinians, and a liberated Palestine”.

The council’s recommendation noted the petition was signed by “people living on unceded Bunurong and Wadawurrung Country”, the traditional land covering the Wyndham local government area.

The petition asked councillors to speak for residents with Palestinian backgrounds or with relatives in Gaza and the West Bank.

The meeting agenda, published on the council’s website, noted that councillors had received significant community contact regarding the conflict and the recommendation followed similar motions by other Melbourne councils including Dandenong, Hume, Merri-bek and Maribyrnong.

However, not all residents were supportive of the council’s expected action, as some took to social media to suggest it steered clear of international conflicts and issues.

One resident said it was “ridiculous” for anyone to think the council had any influence whatsoever and it was a “waste of time”.

Another said it should stick to its “supposed” core duties of “rubbish collection and roads maintenance”.

The council will formally receive and respond to the petition at Tuesday night’s meeting.