Wyndham council’s plan to use leftover developer contribution funding from Point Cook for a community events space – which might be built outside the suburb – has been defended by mayor Mia Shaw.
During council’s March 25 meeting, nine of the city’s 11 councillors backed council exploring opportunities to build a large multi-purpose events space for residents using the unrestricted residual funds from the former Point Cook developer contributions.
Councillors Jasmine Hill and Susan McIntyre objected to the proposal, calling for the money to be used in Point Cook instead.
A petition calling for the funds to be spent in Point Cook has handed to council, while Point Cook MP Mathew Hilakari raised the issue in state parliament, labelling the council’s plan a “blatant misappropriation of funds that should be spent on building infrastructure in the areas from where the funds were collected”.
The location and cost of a regional community events space is yet to be determined.
Council has maintained that legal advice states it can determine how and where the residual developer contribution funds can be spent.
In a statement, Cr Shaw said the majority of councillors thought the establishment of a community events spaces was the best way to spend the residual funds, adding that the centre would benefit all Wyndham residents.
“Our residents are telling us we don’t have a venue for large events, that’s why we’re focussing on this new project,” she said.
“In line with the good governance principles outlined in the Local Government Act, council must govern in the best interests of the whole of the municipality.”
Cr Shaw said council had recently received 1206 submissions about its draft 2-25-26 budget, of which 2.5 per cent mentioned the Point Cook developer contributions.
She said that all obligations in Point Cook under the developer contribution plans have been met by council.
“As well as developer contributions, council has invested millions of dollars of its own funds to support facilities and services in Point Cook, including upgrading roads, sporting and community facilities, parks, playgrounds and open spaces,” she said.
“Council has also funded almost $10 million towards the Webster Street Reserve and Brookdale Road master plans, delivering multi-use sporting fields, including ovals for cricket and soccer, a baseball diamond, tennis courts, cricket nets and more.
“Significant funding has also been spent upgrading Tom Roberts Reserve, Times Square Park, shared paths, public toilets and open spaces.”
