OCTOBER 6, 2015 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
Pro-split party in prospect ââ
People are peeved off with both sides of politics ... - Trevor Dance
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by both the panel established by the former Liberal government and the independent transition auditors,ââ she said. ââNeither disputed the figures found in the KPMG report âThe auditorsâ report found that the KPMG, Deloitte and Blacher reports all agreed on one thing â a separated Sunbury council would result in higher rates or fewer services.â Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has promised Sunbury would get its own council under a Liberal government. Community action groups from Broadmeadows, Sunbury, Craigieburn and Tullamarine have been approached to sign a letter to the Premier, urging the government to accept the auditorsâ recommendations. Ms Hutchins has said she would carefully consider the auditorsâ recommendations before making a final decision in ââcoming weeksââ.
Showtime at Sunbury Diggers Restâs Joan Ford and her graceful Clydesdales (pictured) will feature at Saturdayâs Sunbury Agricultural Show. As well as equestrian, sheep, goat and poultry competitions, this yearâs event at Sunbury Recreation Reserve will mark the Anzac centenary with a visit from the Creswick Light Horse Troop. Agricultural society president Tony McMahon says the show provides an important link to Sunburyâs agricultural roots. ââWhile things have changed, the interest in animals and shows like ours remains extremely high,ââ he says. ââWith so much on, my advice to people is take your time.ââ Other features include highland dancing, an arts and craft pavilion, classic cars, a Wild Action Zoo, and rides. Admission: $15 adults; $5 children (aged 6-12). www.sunburyshow.org.au Matt Crossman
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Supporters of an independent Sunbury, who claim the town was torpedoed by a report that recommended against it splitting from Hume council, are testing the waters for a new political party. Star Weekly understands discussions are ongoing between a number of prominent residents about forming a âSunbury for Sunburyâ party to contest the next state election. The Sunbury Residents Association also recently vowed to continue fighting for a Sunbury council, regardless of what Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins eventually decides. Others, including Sunbury-based councillor Ann Potter, Broadmeadows Progress Association and the Sunbury Community Progress Association, have called for people to ââmove onââ. Pro-split proponents believe the proposed party would easily secure the 500 members it needs to register. Sunbury resident Trevor Dance, who stood for the Palmer United Party in the Senate last November, said a new party would have merit. ââI think itâs getting to the stage where people are peeved with both sides of politics,ââ he said. ââIf there were to be an alternative for Sunbury to get what itâs been looking for for 20 years, you look at all options.ââ The auditorsâ report â presented to Ms Hutchins on August 28 and released last month â said there were too many concerns a Sunbury council would be unviable. The auditors said they believed previous financial advice prepared by three consultants supported their view that a Sunbury council was unlikely to be sustainable without significant
financial assistance, higher rates or reduced services. Critics have complained auditors Frank Vincent and John Watson were not given scope to assess the validity of figures relied upon in the previous reports, including unaudited data provided by Hume council to KPMG. âA spokeswoman for Ms Hutchins said attempts to discredit the approach taken by the auditors were âânot in the best interests of the communityââ. âThe KPMG report was analysed
(Joe Mastroianni)
By Matt Crossman
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