SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
Libs give Sunbury promise ‘‘
They voted for it … we don’t need another vote - Matthew Guy
’’
At a public meeting in July, the auditors acknowledged the limitations of previous studies. Mr Vincent also noted a “very significant” percentage of residents took part in the non-compulsory 2013 poll that paved the way for Sunbury’s separation. ‘‘The question becomes: What was it that they voted upon?,’’ he said, reflecting on a perceived vagueness in the original question. The auditors said the former Liberal government’s notices had been “silent” on rates and service levels. Visiting Sunbury last month, Mr Andrews rejected Liberal claims the audit process was a sham. He said the government was serious about the review and had not gone in with a predetermined view. Last week, Mr Guy also promised Sunbury Train Association members, fighting to retain access to V/Line trains, that he would reinstate any lost services. He said commuters weren’t asking for special favours. The government recently added extra Metro services, with a promise of more to come.
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Scarecrow joins holiday plans Children such as Tajh, 10, Marli, 6, and Saxon, 10, can learn how to keep pesky birds away as part of a new school holiday program. Scarecrow-making and garden workshops, and free ‘pop-up play’ giving kids space to direct their own fun, will be held at Macedon Garden Supplies. From 9.30am on September 25, supervisors Kate and Scott O’Brien will show youngsters how to create their own scarecrow to take home and put in their gardens. Cost is $15, and kids need to bring old clothes and floppy hats. Other materials will be provided, as will fruit, drinks and snacks. From 9.30am on September 22, there will be pop-up play in bushland next to the nursery. And from 9.30am on September 30, children can also learn how to identify plants and make their first garden for $15. Places are limited. For more details, call 5426 2400. Matt Crossman
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The saga of Sunbury’s planned split from Hume may drag on for years yet, with Opposition Leader Matthew Guy promising the town will get its own council under a Liberal government, regardless of the outcome of a current review. Visiting the town with Western Metropolitan MP Bernie Finn, Mr Guy told Star Weekly Sunbury would be granted its independence ‘‘just like the people voted for’’. ‘‘The work has been done,’’ Mr Guy said. ‘‘The previous government did all the financial modelling. We held the plebiscite; it just needs the bill to go through the Parliament.’’ The promise comes as patience about the state government’s transition audit wears thin. Auditors John Watson and Frank Vincent presented their report and recommendations to Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins by the August 31 deadline. The pair were appointed by the Labor government in March with a brief to review the separation processes, after the former Liberal government gazetted formal notices that a new Sunbury council would start on July 1 this year. The split was put on hold after Ms Hutchins said too many questions remained unanswered. A compulsory and final vote on the matter is among options the auditors could recommend. A government spokeswoman said the report would be made public ‘‘later this year’’. The government had previously promised it would act quickly on the auditors’ recommendations. Mr Guy, who met with members of the pro-split Sunbury Residents Association on Tuesday, said it was time
for the uncertainty to end. ‘‘If Daniel Andrews won’t do it, I will, because it’s the right thing for the people of Sunbury, and they voted for it. We don’t need another vote.’’ A petition with 7000 signatures calling for a new vote was presented to Parliament earlier this month.
(Shawn Smits)
By Matt Crossman