government was looking into the feasibility of a ferry from Werribee South to the CBD to ease traffic congestion. The proposed service would be run by a private company, with ferries stopping at Werribee South, Point Cook, Altona and Williamstown.
The government also earmarked $14 million to help rebuild Galvin Park Secondary College.
In September, years of slating Wyndham as an urban growth corridor triggered an unexpected ramification. Landholders from Wyndham’s north stormed a council meeting to protest against rate rises caused by an extension of the city’s growth limits. After a revaluation, properties in parts of Tarneit and Mount Cottrell had their rates rise up to seven times.
The council was smack in the middle of ratepayer rage, and the October 27 election had three sitting councillors, including Cr McAliney, fail to gain re-election. Six new faces were elected. Cr John Menegazzo retired after four years of representing Iramoo ward.
More growth was announced in November when Mr Guy and Premier Ted Baillieu launched plans for a new suburb and jobs precinct at Werribee east. Included was a $40 million freeway interchange at Sneydes Road.
Tragedy also touched Wyndham in 2012. A woman was killed and another was injured during three accidents at Werribee’s Cherry Street level crossing over 13 days in May. The accidents sparked calls for all level crossings in the city to be removed.
In November, more than 150 residents held a vigil in Point Cook, near the street where the remains of murdered 22-year-old Bacchus Marsh woman Sarah Cafferkey were found by police on November 17.
Earlier this month, four Wyndham residents were killed in a smash on the Princes Freeway near Lara. Investigators are still piecing together information on how a speeding BMW came to be driving erratically on the wrong side of the Princes Highway at about 1am and then ploughed head-on into a Subaru WRX loaded with six young friends.
