For Wyndham, the year 2023 was a year of plenty of highs and some big lows as the municipality continues to be one of the fast-growing areas amid the cost of living crunch.
Many community groups and businesses were hit hard, by the cost of living, decisions by governing bodies and businesses, and individual businesses or people targeted.
Theft at a bowling alley, a jumping castle business attacked and repeated ram raids on a tackle shop were some of the bigger incidents.
A local elderly group’s regular lunches were impacted by council’s anti-gambling policies. Both the state government and council released new policies in the same week in October to try and limit the impact of machines.
Transport and infrastructure remained key issues in Wyndham.
Confusion over the Western Rail plan remains, after funding for the Geelong Fast Rail was cut, with both projects previously linked.
Upgrades to roads were funded and got underway, while the council was planning to lobby the state government into the municipality’s transport network resilience.
While Wyndham council approved its 2040 plan for what the municipality will look like, there was opposition within council and from some residents.
Crime continued to rise in the municipality with growing concerns about the behaviour of some people in schools, with police ruling out placing police in schools.
One of the biggest stories in Wyndham, was one of sadness and community spirit.
The deaths of five local residents, including two children, in an accident in Daylesford, hit hard in the local community. A vigil was held in Point Cook following the deaths, with people from all works of lives coming to share their condolences and prayers.
On the sporting field, it was a big year with a lot of success.
Werribee Districts and the Suns both claimed Western Region Football League premierships on the same weekend, while Werribee’s hopes of ending it’s Victorian Football League premiership drought fell short the following weekend.
Wyndham’s women’s Big V team and the Werribee Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association side also fell short in grand finals, as did Western United’s women’s in their inaugural A-League Women’s season.
United continued to make headlines off field, with the go ahead given to play A-League matches at Tarneit during the 2023-24 season given the green light. So far that is yet to come to fruition.
While 2023 was a big year for Wyndham, 2024 appears like it will be even bigger.
