Residents bid for Wyndham council budget funds

A new pool for Point Cook, signage for historical sites along the Werribee River and road upgrades are on the wish lists of Wyndham residents keen to see their ideas funded in the upcoming council budget.

Wyndham council received nine submissions from residents and community groups regarding its draft 2018-19 budget, with eight people and groups fronting the council on Monday night to put forward projects for budget consideration.

Point Cook residents – in particular, the Point Cook Action Group (PCAG) – dominated the submissions process, accounting for four of the presentations made.

Susan McIntyre and Sara Mitchell, from PCAG, called on the council to finance a permanent pop-up park at Point Cook Town Centre. The Point Cook park ran for two months earlier this year, embraced by locals and traders. Both the council and Point Cook Town Centre owner Stockland emerged as open to the idea of setting up a permanent pop-up park. “We’re proposing a space for all seasons,”

Nandakumar Alavander, who has represented Australia in table tennis, said he was keen to see the council support a table tennis club and facilities.

Other suggestions included:

•Signage for 12 historical sites along the Werribee River and a corresponding Werribee River Heritage Trail brochure.

•Funding for a sports oval and pavilion at Werribee’s Riverwalk estate.

•A swimming pool and indoor recreation centre in Point Cook.

•The installation of traffic lights at the Sneydes and Point Cook roads intersection.

•Funding to support the Western Emergency Relief Network which supplies goods to people in need.

•On-demand public transport in and around Point Cook.

The council’s 2018-19 budget and resident submissions will be considered, and voted on, at a special council meeting on Tuesday, June 26.