Ratepayers question Hobson Bay Council’s priorities after ‘rainbow road’ reveal
Hobsons Bay Council’s move to paint a “rainbow road” has Covid-hit ratepayers questioning its priorities.
Victoria
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A “rainbow road” painted outside a western suburbs Melbourne council has triggered an outcry from ratepayers questioning their council’s priorities.
The six coloured stripes have been painted on the semicircular drive at Hobsons Bay Council in Altona to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community ahead of next month’s Midsumma Festival. But residents questioned why the council was dedicating money and resources when so many local residents and businesses had been hit hard by the pandemic.
One ratepayer described the painting project as “token symbolism” after the council unveiled the road on its Facebook page, prompting a mixed response.
The project was not put before council for sign-off, nor was it listed as a capital works project.
The cost of the project was confirmed as “less than $10,000”.
The Facebook post said the painting had transformed the forecourt “into a rainbow to bring a vibrant splash of colour to the space for the festive season and as a lead into Midsumma, a celebration of all things LGBTIQA+ in January and February.’’
Ratepayers Victoria spokeswoman Verity Webb said council spending needed more accountability and transparency.
“Under the new Local Government Act, council CEOs can virtually spend money on anything they want and ratepayers and even councillors can’t stop them.
“It’s not to say that LGBTIQA issues are not important but obviously the CEO believes it’s important enough to spend money on out of the operational budget.’’
The council confirmed the project was part of its $700,000 annual arts budget.
Her comments come after all Victorian councils were given the go ahead to raise rates next year by up to 1.75 per cent.
But some Hobsons Bay ratepayers urged the council to instead spend money on a return to weekly green rubbish collections.
The road painting was done by Spotswood company Industrial Art Sign Co.
A handful of Midsumma events will be held in the Hobsons Bay area, including the Rainbow Family Picnic at the Newport Community Hub on February 5.
Mayor Peter Hemphill said painting the forecourt of the Altona Theatre in rainbow colours showed the council’s support for Midsumma as it had for more than 10 years.
“The rainbow painting is just one of a number of street art projects in a broader arts program.
“Council spent between $15,000 to $20,000 on a mural in the Hall St shopping centre, contributed $20,000 to the Puppet Mayhem performance at Seaworks and was spending about $10,000 a week on its Live and Local musical program among many projects this year. But you have to question why Ratepayers Victoria have singled out a relatively low-cost project aimed at the LGBTIQA+ community as inappropriate.
“Being part of Midsumma Westside is one of the main ways that council can show support to the LGBTQIA+ community, and to provide a platform to advocate for diversity and equality. The rainbow is an important universal symbol for the LGBTIQA+ community.
“Hobsons Bay City Council is proud to spend money on the arts. Council sees this as an important part of community building.
“Council has not neglected its local community and businesses during the Covid pandemic either.’’
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