Tim Pallas and Labor under fire from damaging community campaign in the western suburbs

Tim Pallas is facing a damaging community campaign in the western suburbs, adding to speculation the Treasurer is in danger of losing his seat of Werribee.

Labor is facing a damaging community campaign in Tim Pallas’s seat as Wyndham councillors lash out at the state government over its treatment of Werribee.

The move comes amid speculation the Treasurer faces a tough battle retaining his electorate.

On Monday, the Herald Sun revealed independent challengers in key seats such as Werribee are likely to draw more support than ever and are set to cause problems for both major parties at the November election.

Now Wyndham council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to hit back at what has been described as a “kick in the guts” by the Andrews government in its plans for East Werribee.

Tim Pallas could be set for a difficult battle to keep his seat. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Wyndham wants to turn the area into a major employment hub built around food research, innovation and manufacturing.

But the state has provided money for an Australian Food Innovation Centre in Bundoora which the council believes puts a CSIRO’s facility in the west in danger of shutting down and ruining their vision.

Agenda documents from the council hit out at the decision and propose a community campaign in Werribee, where it is believed the Treasurer is vulnerable to a challenge.

The council push would be timed to coincide with the state election campaign and call for direct commitments from major parties.

There are concerns Tim Pallas and the Andrews government are taking Werribee for granted. Picture: Ian Currie

Labor has already started campaigning in the seat amid concerns it could flip, with local independents expected to attack Mr Pallas over living in Williamstown.

“We have been forced to accept a prison, we have fought against toxic soil being dumped at our front door and now we learn this same government appear to be investing in a plan to abandon the food manufacturing industry in East Werribee and walk away from a 2,500 jobs target,” the council report states.

“For 10 years we’ve had nothing more than slick graphics, videos, reports and planning, but we are yet to see action, we are yet to see any investment in the jobs we so desperately need and we are yet to see any new industry or sector encouraged to be part of East Werribee for the betterment of our community.

“We cannot be taken for granted any longer.”

Wyndham Councillor Mia Shaw said people wanted “real action” on the site.

“It’s time we were really clear about what industry we want there and what a realistic jobs target is.

“This site’s been planned for more than 10 years, enough is enough.

”We don't want housing sprawl there, we want industry and jobs so people cans live and work in Wyndham.”

Mr Pallas said the state had dedicated funding to develop a jobs and innovation strategy for the Werribee region.

“We are backing Werribee as we have done every single day since coming to office,” Mr Pallas said.

“The current Budget provides hundreds of millions of dollars for new schools and hospital capacity, and a new investment of $2.8m to drive development and identify further opportunities for jobs and business growth in Werribee and the East Werribee precinct.”